Shanties return at Versova beach, demolished again in a day

Barely two days after hundreds of shanties were razed to the ground at Versova beach in a joint clean-up and demolition drive by the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation, the collector and the police, hutments have started springing up again, Versova residents informed.

This despite round-the-clock police vigil provided at the beach following the demolition.

A few of them, however, were demolished again on Monday.

The demolition process was initiated by BJP MLA from the area Ameet Satam, following repeated complaints from Versova residents about the beach's filthy and poor condition. There were also 30 illegal bore wells and 20 illegal methi farms, apart from rampant sand mining.

Satam said shanties will be demolished as and when they come up. "On Sunday, seven to eight shanties had come up, but as soon as that came to my notice, I ensured they were demolished on Monday," he said.

He added that the process will continue till he draws up a comprehensive plan to develop Versova beach on the lines of Juhu beach, to encourage tourism and give residents a clean waterfront.

On Thursday, nearly 100 officials took part in the demolition drive that lasted for more than six hours.