Officials scramble as civic chief cracks the whip

After receiving a strong-worded circular from municipal commissioner Subodh Kumar, civic officials have decided to act against illegal constructions and mushrooming in their respective wards.

Kumar had issued a circular to all ward offices that said action should be taken against persons involved in illegal construction activities. The circular directed the building proposal department to undertake a survey and make a list of all illegal buildings and floors that have been built without permission.

Following the civic chief's instructions, H-west ward officials demolished illegal extension of 14 hotels at Union Park Road in Bandra (West.) "They had encroached on the open space," said MM Kshirsagar, assistant municipal commissioner. "We had served them notices. When they didn't take any action, we demolished the encroachments."

Around 320 shanties, including 150 residential structures, two commercial structures and three rolling shutters, were razed at Cross AK Vaidya Marg, Malad (East) on Thursday by the P-north ward under the guidance of assistant municipal commissioner Vijay Balamwar.