Mumbai: Action against illegal sheds at Juhu, Andheri eateries

Mumbai city news: The BMC is cracking down against restaurants in the Juhu-Andheri stretch that have set up sheds or eating spaces which encroach into public space

The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) is cracking down against restaurants in the Juhu-Andheri stretch that have set up sheds or eating spaces which encroach into public space.

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The BMC has so far demolished 600 sqft of encroaching installations by three popular eateries, after civic chief Ajoy Mehta has asked all 24 ward officers to take action against illegal monsoon sheds and extensions.

Every monsoon, several establishments across Mumbai erect sheds without the civic body’s permission.

The three restaurants, all in Juhu, were using the open space for cooking and seating without permission, civic sources said. K-West ward, which covers the Andheri, Versova and Juhu areas, will continue issuing notices to other eateries that break the rules, civic officials said.

“Before demolishing the installations, we sent notices to these three restaurants last week. As and when we get complaints of encroachments from citizens, we will take action,” said Prashant Gaikwad, assistant municipal commissioner.

The BMC got complaints from citizens’ groups in Andheri (West) that restaurants and pubs were encroaching into areas that need to be kept free and open for easy access by fire engines in case of an emergency.

A civic official said 16 illegal food stalls in front of an Andheri mall were demolished on Tuesday.

Hansel D’souza, a member of the Juhu Citizens Welfare Group, said, “Eateries everywhere in Juhu put up their own monsoon sheds, which they are supposed to take down after three months but never do.”

In a meeting with ward officers, the BMC chief had also asked them to issue showcause notices to licensed hawkers who were violating the rules.