Mahim society wants scrap dealer at gate gone

Staffers of the scrap shop sit along with junk. Pics/Shadab Khan

A scrap dealer flouted rules and inconvenienced the residents of Montclair housing society by conducting his business on the pavements adjoining the building gate, despite a Bombay High Court order instructing for his eviction. Calling it encroachment, the residents are upset due to the inaction by Mahim police as well as the civic body. The dealer, Anis Maniar, has refused to vacate the pavement on St Gabriel Road which he had been encroaching upon for years even as the locals claimed his business posed a health and safety concern.

The dark side

The society's former chairman Nilkanth Apte said, "The plot the scrap dealer uses is leased land. Apart from encroaching on it, he has spread out his business, making it difficult for us to access the pavement. He is nonchalant about it and does not seem to care. He has also built an extension to his shop which encroaches on our society land. In addition, because of the tempos that are parked to take the junk, people openly defecate behind them. Some people even come and smoke marijuana in the evening and night. Besides, the pavements are really filthy and stink, making the area unlivable."

A view of the scrap shop in front of the gate of Montclair CHS

"When the Bombay High Court passed an order evicting him in March 2010, the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation did nothing and the order lapsed after three years. He breaks scrap items like refrigerators, steel cupboards on the footpath. There are non-disposable items and also things like foam insulation used in these fridges are carcinogenic. This can cause serious health and safety concerns, that too in a public space," said 78-year-old Apte.

Society's former secretary Milind Kothari, 75, said, "Even if we call the cops, they temporarily shut it down and the same thing happens again. He uses the pavement and the road for his activities that generate noise, dust and gas pollution as well as physical hazard. Sharp pieces, screws, nails keep puncturing vehicle tyres. The society gate has become so small due to his shop that ambulances or fire vans cannot enter. Despite several written and telephonic complaints, the BMC has turned a blind eye."

Scrap dealer defends

Maniar said, "Talks about encroachment are all rumours. We had given the land that the society residents are claiming to be theirs. The area adjacent to the gate also is ours, but they still trouble us. The issue is that the plot has been given to us by our trust and we have been living on it for years. If I was told that my work is inconveniencing anyone, I would immediately tell the staff to ensure no problems for passers-by or residents."

He added, "My business has not come up overnight, I have been running it for decades. The neighbouring shops are also in the same business. The matter is sub judice. Let the court decide whose land it is. I don't want to trouble anyone." When mid-day tried to contact G-North ward corporator Geeta Gambhir Desai, she said she was busy in a meeting.