ILLEGAL CONSTRUCTIONS OF 324 EATERIES SMASHED

IN ITS DRIVE against illegal structures, BMC demolished 314 places out of 624, in different wards of Mumbai, 7 hotels sealed, over 417 gas cylinders seized

On a day when the BrihanMumbai Municipal Corporation came under immense flak for firstly even allowing the restaurants and bars to get away with flouting of fire and safety norms, the civic body launched into a first of its kind drive. On Saturday morning, a day after 14 died in the pub and restaurant blaze, a civic team swooped into action demolishing illegal constructions of 314 hotels, restaurants, pubs, eateries and other places where people are likely to converge for New Year’s Eve parties.

In a long time, citizens of Mumbai have not seen this squad in action with hammers and crowbars to raze illegal structures of elite bars and restaurants, though most believe it has been an eyewash as illegal changes inside most premises remain intact.

The initial action was seen at Kamala Mills Compound and the adjacent Raghuvanshi Mills and Phoenix Mills complexes, and spread to Colaba, Kala Ghoda, and then to the suburbs.

According to a BMC official, the mega-demolition drive covered around 200 locations across Mumbai, but was largely concentrated in the Lower Parel-Mahalaxmi areas. The drive was also conducted in all 24 wards across the city in which the highest number of 69 illegal constructions, were demolished in L-Kurla ward.

The demolition squads targeted illegal extensions to premises, decorative arches and metal grills inside or outside, doubletriple or revolving doors, raised entrances/exits, ornamental fixtures and fittings, massive flower pots or plants, unauthorized temporary roofs, walls, partitions, any external internal obstacles to free movements, which could prove to be a safety hazard in case of any

emergency like Friday’s fire.

As Ajoy Mehta, municipal commissioner, took action against five civic officials, other ward officers suo-moto began demolition activity in all other wards from morning fearing action would be taken against them, if they protect illegal constructions of hotels and restaurants. Demolition activity began from the Kamala Mills compound and hotels in G-South ward.

Mehta said, “Action against illegal constructions will not be limited considering the safety of people who will go there to celebrate the new year’s party. It will continue till all illegal constructions are demolished forever.”

He added that BMC will not allow hotels, restaurants and pubs to construct temporary sheds over rooftops or in front of their premises.

Mini Punjab Lakeside, Turban Tadka and Sagar Restobar are the prominent rooftop bars which were demolished on Saturday.

Meanwhile, the erstwhile 50-plus textile mills which used to churn out lakhs of metres of cotton fabrics daily, went silent after the Great Bombay Textile strike of 1982.

Spread across prime real estate of more than 500 acres in south-central Mumbai, the former mills have now been transformed into glittering corporate, media, communications, glamour and eating hubs, besides some of the tallest and most expensive residential and commercial towers in the vicinity.

Meanwhile, BMC has initiated action under MRTP act against all the accused.