Mumbai: BMC demolishes illegal stalls encroaching footpaths at Bandra’s Hill Road market

Demolition work carried out by BMC on Hill Road. PICS/BY SPECIAL ARRANGEMENT

The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation's H West ward took action and demolished stalls illegally encroaching footpaths at the market along Hill Road in Bandra West a day after mid-day, and Assistant Municipal Commissioner Dinesh Pallewad, visited the site for inspection.

Local Speak

Rohinton Polishwala, chairman, ALM 74
‘For decades, our complaints were not heard, but this time, not only have they been heard, but also followed through, after the assistant commissioner's visit on Wednesday. While all of the encroachment hasn't been tackled yet, stalls from two spots on Hill Road were removed - one opposite the Pantaloon's shop, where there were multiple shoe shops, and the other on Prof Almeda Park Road. The BMC has said that the other encroachments will be removed in the coming 15 days, as notices have been served to all those who are encroaching.'

Official Speak

Dinesh Pallewad, assistant municipal commissioner
‘We are taking complaints from the Hill Road ALM 74 seriously, and aim to remove all encroachments from the footpath to make it pedestrian-friendly. The encroachments removed on Thursday were all illegally occupying the footpath. Those affected are being issued a 15-day notice period'.

Lack of space

The row at Hill Road market started after ALM (Advanced Locality Management) 74 of Bandra West wrote to the BMC commissioner about issues the area has been facing, as apart from encroaching on footpaths and the road, hawkers and vendors have also illegally moved into spaces in some nearby buildings.