Portions of popular Bandra hangouts razed

A total of 25 unauthorised structures were demolished on Thursday during a multi-departmental joint action by Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) at Pali Naka Road in Bandra West. The structures encroaching footpaths and roads were posing hurdles in the road-widening work under way in the area, the BMC said. 

As part of the drive, the front extension of popular hangout, Toto’s Garage, was also razed.

Sharad Ughade, assistant commissioner of H-West ward, said, “We plan to widen the Pali Hill Road, opposite Pali Market, and adjoining roads. These unauthorised structures were getting in the way of that.”

The joint anti-encroachment drive was carried out by the civic departments dealing with encroachments, buildings, licence and maintenance. “A total of 25 encroachments on open and marginal spaces were removed. These included 15 stalls and 20 unauthorised hawkers,” said Ughade. 

Toto’s, Jude Cold Storage, Celejor, Gondola Hotels, and Sea Food Tandoori are among those that faced the demolition. 

“All unauthorised structures or extension of shops or stalls will be removed if  they pose hurdles in the road-widening work,” said Ughade.