BMC continues demolition drive
Illegal portions of major hotels in the Vakola area of H-east ward were demolished on Wednesday as part of a massive pan-Mumbai demolition drive that the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) is carrying out at present. This drive came in the wake of a similar one carried out on the illegal portions of major hotels in A ward recently.
The demolition work was carried out at popular local eateries, including Vihar, Janata, Sudarshan and City Bakery, apart from 40 other small eateries in the same area. The BMC mainly demolished permanent extension sheds when it came to the big hotels, and makeshift extensions constructed in the open spaces outside the 40 small shops. These were mainly built out of certain concrete material and tarpaulin sheets, and were occupying the footpath, thus inconveniencing passers-by, said assistant commissioner of H-east ward, Prashant Gaikwad.
Wednesday’s demolition drive was part of a two-day-long drive being carried out in different parts of H-east ward. Mr Gaikwad said, “We will carry out demolition work on Thursday as well. However, this time it is going to be in Kalina.”
Three hotels in Kalina that the demolition drive will be carried out at on Thursday are Nityanand, Potoba and Swagat, apart from others. Besides that, Mr Gaikwad confirmed, he will also target 40-45 small illegal eateries in Kalina.
He also said that even though the BMC workers on duty to demolish the restaurants in Vakola faced some resistance from locals and shop owners on Wednesday, they did not face much difficulty as they were accompanied by policemen as well.