BMC carries out anti-encroachment drive on Mohammed Ali Road and Ibrahim Merchant Road in Mumbai

Mumbai: BMC's B ward on Monday carried out an anti-encroachment drive along Mohammed Ali Road and Ibrahim Merchant Road, removing unauthorised hawkers and extended constructions from footpaths.As many as seven illegal shops were removed, 12 platforms, tin/metal sheds, and 10 bollards were cleared. Action was also taken against two abandoned vehicles.Mohammed Ali Road is a major thoroughfare connecting the Bhendi Bazaar, Masjid Bunder, and Byculla areas, while Ibrahim Merchant Road is located close to the Nagdevi and Mandvi areas. Both roads are of significant commercial importance and are critical from a traffic perspective, said officials.A BMC official said, "Unauthorised extended constructions were found on the footpath along both roads. In addition, unauthorised hawkers set up shops in the area. This caused obstructions to vehicular movement as well as inconvenience to pedestrians using the footpaths."The operation was carried out using four encroachment removal vehicles, two JCB machines, and other equipment. During the drive, 40 municipal officers and staff were deployed, along with adequate police security.