DNA Impact: No clean-up marshals on Mankhurd-Vashi highway until new toilets are built

After DNA investigations on clean-up marshals from Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) posted on Mankhurd-Vashi highway revealed about the arm twisting tactics used to target unsuspecting people on the desolated stretch, BMC now has directed all the clean- up marshals to not be present on Mankhurd-Vashi highway until new toilets are built.

On May 19, this correspondent visited the Mankhurd-Vashi highway after which two persons posing as clean-up marshals approached on a bike and demanded Rs 200. When refused to pay the fine, two persons, one of whom had been identified as Dinesh Avchar, threatened to put this correspondent behind bars and soon called out to other persons for help. One of the person who named himself as Salim Khan claimed to be from the Tops Security limited who provided clean-up marshals to BMC. They later fled on their motorcycles after seeing a police van approaching the highway. A written complaint was filed at Mankhurd police station in this regard.

Shriniwas Kilaje, Assistant Municipal Commissioner, M East ward, said, "We have removed the banners from the electric poles, which alerted the motorists about the fine for dirtying the place. Also, we have asked the supervisors of the clean-up marshals to not post them on the stretch of Mankhurd- Vashi highway."

"Our enquiry has revealed that clean-up marshals were on the wrong side of the law as they were not wearing uniforms and were using arm twisting tactics to target the motorists using the route", said Kilaje. "We have instructed the supervisors to not post clean up marshals unless and until new toilets are built", said Kilaje.

Another senior BMC official from the M East ward said, "We had received complaints from several others; so we had summoned them to the ward office to take their statements. We have also pulled out the banners from the highway and we request citizens to complain on the BMC helpline number 1916."

"We will take the strictest action on the cleanup marshals for even harassing offenders if the fine is collected unlawfully," said the official.

No to extortion

DNA investigation reveals that BMC clean-up marshals have been using arm twisting tactics to extort money from unsuspecting people on the Mankhud-Vashi stretch.
BMC now has directed all the clean-up marshals to not be present on the Mankhurd-Vashi road until new toilets are built in the area.