12 February,2016 07:10 AM IST | | Tanvi Deshpande
The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) yesterday continued demolishing shanties around Deonar dumping ground. More than 160 shanties were demolished yesterday bringing the total to 267 so far
The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) yesterday continued demolishing shanties around Deonar dumping ground. More than 160 shanties were demolished yesterday bringing the total to 267 so far.
Suspecting that those living in these shanties lit the fire, the civic body decided to take action against the illegal encroachments
A fire broke out at the dumping ground last month bringing the city to a standstill. Its smoke spread as far as Navi Mumbai and citizens took to the streets to protest. Even chief minister Devendra Fadnavis ordered an enquiry in the matter.
The dumping ground is surrounded by illegal shanties and they are mostly inhabited by ragpickers.
The civic body and fire brigade suspect that some of these ragpickers or miscreants must have lit the fire that led to the disaster. Therefore, about 100 shanties in the Rafi Nagar area were demolished on Wednesday and another 167 yesterday. The demolition happened in Adarsh Nagar, near Bainganwadi. More than 30 municipal workers and 30 police personnel conducted the operation using three JCB and three dumpers. Work went on till yesterday evening.
The civic officials said action against illegal encroachments will continue.
