The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation carries out a demolition drive at Garib Nagar slum in Bandra. (Photo: Mrugesh Bandiwadekar)
The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation carries out a demolition drive at Garib Nagar slum in Bandra. (Photo: Mrugesh Bandiwadekar)
In a major demolition drive, the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) on Wednesday demolished illegal structures outside the Bandra railway station’s east side. However, the drive had to be halted due to stiff resistance from slum dwellers.
According to civic officials, there are illegal slums, some of them even two to three storeys tall at Bandra (east). The H-East ward officials, led by assistant commissioner Prashant Gaikwad, carried out a demolition drive, in which second and third floors of the 12 structures around skywalk were demolished. In addition to this, 25 structures and seven stalls near the railway station ticket window were demolished.
“However, demolition could not be continued due to resistance from a 300-strong mob of local residents. Taking an aggressive stand, they vehemently opposed the drive. Sensing the tense situation, we decided to halt the drive. However, the drive would be undertaken again with a proper police bandobast,” said a civic official.
In the backdrop of recent fire at a medical shop in Juhu, in which nine people lost their lives, the civic body has decided to deal strictly with illegal slums in the city.
The BMC will take action against these unauthorised multi-storey slums after the monsoon is over, said civic officials.
In a review meeting held at civic headquarters on Saturday, civic chief Ajoy Mehta has asked civic officials to make a survey of slums, which are above 14-feet-high and take action against illegal slums in the city.
The civic chief also asked officials to register the names of those who oppose the demolition of illegal slums, and submit it to the head office, said officials.
