Lokayukta steps in to get choked SoBo road cleared

MUMBAI: Around 100 stalls at Mussafirkhana along

Masjid Bunder

were forced to cut down their illegal extensions to make way for

traffic

after the

Lokayukta

pulled up the

police

. The Maharashtra Lokayukta has directed the police to act against illegal stalls that have encroached upon roads in

Musafirkhana

and Crawford market area and regularize flow of traffic. Justice (retired) M L Tahaliyani, who heads the state anti-corruption ombudsman, took suo motu cognizance of the issue after noticing traffic problems in the area created by encroachers. The Lokayukta issued notices to the police and asked them to act against the encroachers. The police have been directed to file a report before the Lokayukta. To smoothen flow of traffic in this narrow lane, officials of MRA police station and traffic police on Wednesday diverted traffic moving from Carnar bridge towards CST through this narrow lane, forcing removal of illegal hawkers and two-wheelers parked on the road. The road has been shut for traffic for the last 10 years after stall owners lining this road illegally encroached upon the main road. Senior inspector Sukhlal Varpe of MRA Marg police station on Wednesday held an urgent meeting of around 100 stall owners employing around 2,000 people to remove encroachments and ensure smooth flow of traffic. “We have been doing business here for decades. How can the authorities throw us out like this?” said Farid Shaikh, president of Aman committee. “At the police’s request, we have agreed to let traffic flow smoothly.” Deputy co mmissioner of police Manoj Kumar Sharma said that there have been several complaints from local residents that they are unable to drive their vehicles along thisthis road. “It is also difficult for ambulances or fire brigades to pass.”he said.