BMC to Demolish Encroachments Near Girgaum Chowpatty
It’s clean-up time for Girgaum chowpatty again. The encroachments on the fringes of this popular beach will be demolished by the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) on March 20, in accordance with a direction given by the Bombay High Court on March 14.
A division bench of Justice JN Patel and Justice VC Daga had directed the BMC and the city police to jointly remove encroachments near Girgaum chowpatty. The bench had also instructed the police to tackle the beggars on the beach by implementing the Beggars Act and the Juvenile Justice Act.
Following the high court order, the BMC took immediate steps to organise the demolition drive—which is much awaited by local residents and the thousands of visitors thronging Girgaum chowpatty everyday. “We have issued a requisition for security with the police and we have also intimated the collector,” said RW Pawar, ward officer, D-ward.
According to the BMC plan, the encroachments as well as a nearby water fountain, constructed illegally, will be demolished. “The site is occupied by squatters, who construct their makeshift huts by erecting bamboos and covering them with tarpulin. But the trouble is that they keep on coming back, even after the demolition,” added Pawar. The stalls at the chowpatty have the requisite permission from the BMC, so they do not fall under the demolition plan.
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