BMC conducts massive anti-encroachment and demolition drive at Mohammed Ali Road

The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation BMC on Monday conducted a massive demolition and antiencroachment drive on several roads in south Mumbai at and near Mohammed Ali Road officials saidAccording to the Mumbai civic body the officials during the drive removed illegal hawkers and unauthorised structures from pavements on Mohammed Ali Road and Ibrahim Merchant RoadThe action was carried out by the civic bodyrsquos B Ward administrative departmentBoth roads are among the cityrsquos busiest commercial stretches connecting areas such as Bhendi Bazaar Masjid Bunder Byculla Nagdevi and Mandvi Due to illegal extensions on footpaths and unauthorised vending pedestrians and motorists were facing serious inconvenienceThe removal drive was conducted as per the instructions of Additional Municipal Commissioner City Dr Ashwini Joshi The operation was carried out under the guidance of Deputy Commissioner Zone 1 Chanda Jadhav and led by Assistant Municipal Commissioner of B Ward Yogesh DesaiIllegal shops sheds and vehicles removedDuring the drive the civic team removed 7 illegal shops12 platforms otas tin and metal sheds 10 bollards and 2 abandoned vehiclesThe operation was carried out using four encroachment removal vehicles two JCB machines and other equipmentAround 40 BMC officials and staff along with adequate police protection were deployed to ensure smooth actionCivic body to continue action against encroachmentsLocal residents have expressed satisfaction with the removal of encroachments stating that pedestrian movement and traffic flow have improved officials saidThey said that the BMC administration has said that regular action will continue against illegal and unauthorised constructions to ensure clear pavements and safer roads across the cityBMC launch massive demolition drive between Goregaon and BorivaliMeanwhile earlier this monththe BMC and Mumbai Police had launched a massive demolition and antiencroachment drive between Goregaon and Borivali to clear roads near metro stations and congested roads civic officials saidThe BMC with the assistance of Zone XI police carried out a largescale crackdown on illegal hawkers across Mumbairsquos western suburbs clearing some of the cityrsquos most congested roads and transit zones officials saidAccording to police sources the drive was conducted jointly by the BMC and Zone XI police and covered an extensive stretch from Goregaon to Borivali WestDuring the special drive key areas targeted during the operation included Kandivali Metro Station New Link Road Dahanu Karwadi MG Road Link Road SV Road Motilal Nagar Raam Mandir and surrounding suburban railway station areas These locations are known for heavy pedestrian movement and frequent congestion caused by unauthorised hawking the police saidOfficials said the operation focused on reclaiming footpaths and public spaces to ensure smooth pedestrian movement and traffic flowFootpaths and underbridge settlements removedDuring the drive hawkers illegally occupying footpaths were removed restoring access for pedestriansCivic teams also cleared illegal settlements set up under bridges where members of a community had reportedly established temporary bases officials saidThe civic officials stated that the roads near Kandivali Metro Station and Dahanu Karwadi were completely cleared following the action Meanwhile no illegal hawkers were found operating along the Vasant Complex stretch on Link Road after the enforcement drive