BMC falters to clear ails pedestrian paths Flower salls returns overnight
BMC falters to clear ails pedestrian paths
Flower salls returns overnight
Notwithstanding civic body’s bulldozing of over 52 flower stalls near Matunga Station on Saturday, morning, by evening all the stall owners returned to their business.
As per media reports, amid the ongoing battle between the BMC and flower sellers of Matunga, the latter clearly gained the upper hand. The BMC had bulldozed 52 stalls in the morning, but by evening the sellers were back in business.
Reportedly after two successful attempts in March to demolish the stalls at Bhandarkar Road and Telang Road, the F-North ward office swung into action last week again. As per an official from the civic body, in no time the stall owners returned to their booming business.
A major demolition action wasn’t taken like in March, but we removed the stalls week as per our usual practice. But next day the hawkers resumed their business.
When the civic demolition squad returned next day morning, the hawkers physically prevented them from carrying out the demolition by squatting in front of the bull dozers. The then Assistant Municipal Commissioner Nitin Shukla was transferred from the F-North ward.
The residents alleged the hawkers rowdy and enter into verbal fights if any authorities go for action. “The hawkers have created nuisance. There have been incidents where workers of political parties also clash over unauthorised hawkers removal in Sion and Matunga area.
Across Matunga, new stalls of garments and vegetables have come up, especially on Bhandarkar Road, NL Road, Telang Road etc,” said local resident and activist Chetan Trivedi
According to Trivedi the current assistant municipal commissioner pays no heed to the residents complaints and have not arranged meetings with the activists inspite of repeated requests.
Moreover, repeated attempts Assistant Municipal Commissioner (F-North) Arun Kshirsagar could not be reached for a comments as claimed by the residents.
The residents also allege that the hawkers have an upper hand over the BMC due to strong political support, especially from BJP MLA Tamil Selvan.
Speaking with the media persons, earlier, Selvan had said that the flower stalls owners are licenced stalls and the demolition action was unwarranted.
Notably, the many stalls in Matunga flower market are licenced hawkers, however have expanded their stalls, added a floor, thereby encroaching the footpaths. While many stalls are unauthorised. As per sources from the ward office, the flower stalls have also taken illegal water connection.
News Edit KV Raman
