BMC shortlists 25 spots for its decongestion drive

In response to the concern over the safety of congested localities in the city, the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) has finally decided to clear-up certain crowded pockets.

In response to the concern over the safety of congested localities in the city, the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) has finally decided to clear-up certain crowded pockets.

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The BMC has shortlisted 25 locations with the help of the local police, and will now work towards decongesting these areas, by adopting zero tolerance towards hawkers and imposing traffic restrictions. In addition to Zaveri Bazar, Opera House and Dadar, the list includes areas outside Kandivil, Borivili , Ghatkopar , Chembur stations as well as areas near Kurla and Andheri bus depots.

Senior civic officials said the move was prompted after home minister RR Patil spoke to municipal commissioner Subodh Kumar asking him to clear all encroachment from busy areas. "We have written to the police commissioner with a list of places, which we want to turn into zero-tolerance zones," said a senior civic official.

Chandrashekhar Rokade, deputy municipal commissioner (encroachment removal) said that the BMC will start the drive as soon as the police respond. "We will make sure the hawkers don’t return. Parking will be allowed only in a dedicated area," said Rokade.

Civic officials added that once the proposed hawker’s policy — which demarcates hawking and non-hawking zones — takes shape, these spots will be kept free of hawkers by patrolling staff dedicated for the area.