Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) Commissioner Bhushan Gagrani has directed officials to take immediate and strict action against unauthorised hawkers across Mumbai, following an attack on a civic team during an eviction drive in the Kandivali area, reported the PTI.
According to the civic body, officials from the R (South) ward were attacked by a mob while conducting an anti-encroachment operation against unauthorised hawkers. During the incident, civic vehicles and machinery were also damaged.
Police have arrested five persons in connection with the attack and have registered a case under relevant provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS).
The incident occurred on Friday when the civic team was carrying out a drive to remove encroachments in the locality.
Civic chief reviews situation on site
Gagrani later visited Vishwakarmanye Chowk (Lokhandwala Circle) in Kandivali to review the situation. He also met the municipal officers and employees who were injured in the incident and enquired about their condition, according to the PTI.
Senior civic officials, including Deputy Municipal Commissioner (Zone 7) Bhagyashree Kapse and R (South) Ward Assistant Municipal Commissioner Aarti Golekar, were present during the visit along with police personnel.
Action against encroachments and traffic obstructions
The BMC commissioner instructed officials to take strict action against unauthorised hawkers and shopkeepers obstructing footpaths.
He also directed the removal of vehicles parked on roads that create inconvenience for pedestrians and disrupt traffic movement. During the inspection, he ordered the immediate closure of a pizza outlet where delivery motorcycles were reportedly parked in a disorderly manner on the road, as per the PTI.
Attacks on officials
Gagrani said illegal hawking and structures on footpaths create serious problems for pedestrians and traffic, and the civic body regularly conducts drives to remove such encroachments, the news agency reported.
He strongly condemned the attack on civic officials, stating that the administration has taken serious note of the incident.
Preliminary findings suggested that some local college students were also part of the mob, and officials have been instructed to initiate appropriate action against those involved, reported the PTI.
The BMC said that drives against unauthorised hawkers and encroachments affecting pedestrian movement and traffic will continue across the city.
(with PTI inputs)
