New Thane collector continues action against illegal sand dredgers

Thane district's new collector Dr Mahendra Kalyankar is continuing the mission to take action against all illegal activities in the area. He recently cracked down on illegal sand dredgers in the city and seized sand and equipment worth Rs1 crore. He also ensured demolition of all illegal structures on Taloja-Shil road.

"On May 18, based on the instructions by Dr Kalyankar, action was taken against those doing illegal sand dredging in Mumbra Retibunder, Ganeshghat and Ghodbunder Road. In this raid, suction pumps and sand worth Rs1 crore were seized," said an official from the collectorate office.

Moreover, over 90 chawls and 11 godowns that had come up illegally at Pimpri village near Taloja-Sheel road were also demolished on Wednesday.

The project-affected people of Koyna dam were rehabilitated in this village. However, people from Mumbra and other adjoining areas encroached an area called Thakurpada and set up their shops and godowns. The villagers then complained about this to the collector, who immediately instructed tehsildar Revan Lembe to remove the encroachers.

The 90 chawls were on a four-acre plot while the illegal shops and galas were on a six-acre one. All the chawls and shops were demolished and the land returned to the villagers.

"Hope the encroachers never return and the collector's office continues to keep removing such structures," said Bhanu Patil from Thakurpada.