One of the restaurants demolished as part of BMC’s drive against illegal structures in Pali market, Bandra (west) on Thursday. (Photo: Shripad Naik) Over 100 illegal structures razed in Pali Hill Naka.
One of the restaurants demolished as part of BMC’s drive against illegal structures in Pali market, Bandra (west) on Thursday. (Photo: Shripad Naik)
Over 100 illegal structures razed in Pali Hill Naka. In a major demolition drive, the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) on Thursday razed illegal structures put up by eateries and restaurants on road footpaths at Pali Hill Naka, Bandra (west).
More than 100 extensions and unauthorised structures on footpaths were removed during the drive. The civic body also took action against more than 50 illegal hawkers.
However, there were apprehensions about the efficacy of the drive as local residents alleged that hawkers returned to their places within hours of municipal action. Some of the eating-houses have also promptly raised the structures, which were demolished by the civic staff.
According to civic officials, action was taken against seven eateries namely Irish House, Little Darling, Papa Pancho, Yumyum, Eat Thai, Gandola and Busajo.
They had put up illegal structures outside their premises on pavements, causing inconvenience to local residents and pedestrians. It was also resulting in disturbance to traffic movement, due to which there were traffic jams in the area.
“These eateries were given permission to install these structures during the monsoon season and they were expected to remove them at the October end. Instead some of the restaurants further extended them and even put up air-conditioners, and cold drink storage compartments in them,” said a senior civic official.
The action was taken on illegal stalls on footpath, illegal boards and open area shed encroachments, he added.
However, the eatery owners have alleged that the BMC action was undertaken without any proper notice. “There was no intimation by the ward officials about the demolition drive. Had they informed us beforehand, we would have removed the structures ourselves. During the drive, they not only razed extensions, but also some parts of our restaurants. Despite the action, hawkers have returned to the footpath, defeating the very purpose of the drive,” said Ashish Sajnani, owner of Hotel Eat Thai.
Locals say BMC action is ‘futile’ The joy of the residents of the upmarket Pali Hill area in Bandra turned from joy to misery after illegal encroachments by shops and hawkers on the Pali Market road that was demolished by the BMC on Thursday morning came up again by evening. Residents said the BMC’s action was in futility and they would have to restart their process of lodging complaints against the encroachments all over again.
Anil Joseph, chairperson of the Perry Road Residents Association ALM (Advanced Locality Management) that has been complaining to the BMC against the encroachments by the shops and hawkers leading to a huge pedestrian and vehicular traffic problem said the Thursday morning action was an eyewash. “Till a few months ago we had been writing to the H-West ward office regarding the illegal structures erected by shops and hawkers which made it difficult for residents and locals to move around. However as there was no action we had stopped writing to them,” said Mr Joseph, adding that they were happy with the demolitions and even thanked the officials for it.
However, to the chagrin of the residents no sooner had the BMC left, the hawkers and shop owners started rebuilding the demolished structures. “The entire exercise is a farce,” said Neil Smith, a resident of Perry Road. “Had the BMC carried away the debris after the demolition, the hawkers and shops owners would not have been able to put back the demolished extensions again. This is nothing but an academic activity by the BMC aimed at showing that they demolished illegal encroachments. Only if there is a regular follow up to ensure the encroachments do not occur again will such an exercise be successful,” said Mr Smith.
Another resident of Pali Hill, Nisar Merchant said joint action by the police and BMC would ensure illegal extensions do not recur. “Regular patrolling will ensure the encroachments are curbed,” said Mr Merchant.
