Illegal structures demolished

Ambernath: In a significant anti-encroachment operation, the Ambernath Municipal Council on Thursday demolished unauthorized commercial structures constructed on government-reserved land near the Lotus Lake area along the Kalyan-Badlapur road. The action included the demolition of 21 shops, 20 roadside stalls, and over 50 other illegal constructions erected on plots reserved for a public garden and a swimming pool.

The demolition drive, which began at 11 a.m. and continued until 2:30 p.m., was carried out under the orders of Municipal Chief Officer Umakant Gaikwad. The operation was conducted with heavy police security and saw participation from Senior Police Inspector Balaji Pandhare, town planning officials, electrical department officers, and over 50 municipal staff members including Encroachment Department Heads Narendra Sankhye and Sunil Gavit.

The action targeted Reservation Plot No. 45, designated for a garden, and Plot No. 88, earmarked for a swimming pool. Both plots had been illegally occupied and developed into commercial spaces over time, despite repeated complaints from residents. Authorities finally acted after mounting public pressure and official reports.

This is not the first such action in recent weeks. The Ambernath Municipal Council had earlier cleared unauthorized hawkers and stalls from areas near Saibaba Mandir to Vimco Naka and Forest Naka in West Ambernath. That operation saw the removal of 12 handcarts, 5 stalls, followed by further clearing of 10 handcarts and 9 more stalls.