A day after the Maharashtra government directed the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) to halt all pigeon feeding activities in the city citing serious health risks to citizens, the civic body began a crackdown on illegal structures at Kabutarkhanas (pigeon feeding spots), starting with the one near Dadar station on NC Kelkar Road.
On Friday morning, BMC’s G North ward carried out an encroachment removal drive at the Dadar Kabutakhana. The operation included the confiscation of sacks of grains stored at the site, the removal of a shed constructed by locals on BMC property, and the demolition of unauthorised fencing around the structure.
Similar enforcement drives are expected to follow at other Kabutarkhanas in the city, including those in Matunga and near CST’s General Post Office (GPO), the civic body confirmed.
In addition, BMC’s public health department will launch a citywide awareness campaign highlighting the health hazards of feeding pigeons in public and open spaces, including Kabutarkhanas.
A senior civic official stated, “We are drafting a standard operating procedure (SOP) for the administration to tackle the public health and cleanliness issues caused by pigeon feeding. Clear dos and don’ts will be issued to citizens within the coming week.”
