Mumbai: BMC slaps encroachers with eviction notices to build Chandivli road

Two-wheelers and trucks on the partially built 90-foot-long road on February 10. Pic/Sameer Markande

The protests of Chandivli residents, who have been demanding the construction of a 90-foot-long road for years, have finally yielded results. After floating tenders for the long-awaited project, the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) has slapped encroachers with eviction notices.

A day after locals went on a hunger strike on Sunday, the roads department of the BMC invited tenders to construct Chandivli Farm Road. Simultaneously, officials of the L ward, which comprises Chandivli and Kurla, have taken moved to clear the land to make way for the road. The road that residents have been demanding was first conceptualised 30 years ago in the BMC's development plan.

A few years ago, the civic body constructed one-third of the stretch, which has now become a parking lot. The land through which the rest of the road is supposed to run belongs to two parties, a private developer and a central government corporation, but is being occupied by hundreds of encroachers. Citizens had also held protests in February and after repeated follow-ups, P Velrasu, additional municipal commissioner, met with them and asked the departments concerned to act. Though the road department is responsible for the construction of the stretch, the acquisition of land will be carried out by the DP department and L ward.

On Monday, the designated officer of the building and factories department of L ward sent show-cause notices, a copy of which is in mid-day's possession), under Section 351 (1A) to the encroachers. The notice stated that the owner/occupier must respond in seven weeks as to why the said building/work shall not be removed or altered or pulled down or the use of premises restored.

Dhanaji Herlekar, assistant commissioner of L ward, confirmed that notices were being sent to the encroachers. Once known for small industries, Chandivli transformed into a residential hot spot, with the construction of high-rises over the past two decades. Residents in the area have long been demanding the 90-foot road to decongest the area, which is dependent on two routes - Chandivli Farm Road and DP Road 9, which are also choked.

Aug 20
Day hunger strike was held