According to civic officials, the drive resulted in the removal of 65 unauthorised structures and encroachments that had come up along the busy food street area of Mahavir Nagar. The action was taken to ease traffic congestion and restore pedestrian accessibility in the locality.
The demolition operation was conducted early in the day using heavy machinery, including JCB excavators and dumpers, to clear illegal extensions and temporary constructions occupying roads and footpaths.
Coordinated Action by BMC Wards and Police
The anti-encroachment drive was executed by personnel from the R South Ward and R Central Ward of the civic body, along with adequate police deployment to maintain law and order during the operation.
Officials confirmed that multiple departments worked together in a coordinated campaign to remove illegal hawking setups and permanent encroachments that obstructed vehicular movement and created inconvenience for residents and visitors.
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Why Mahavir Nagar Khau Galli Was Targeted
Mahavir Nagar Khau Galli is a well-known food street in Kandivali West that attracts heavy footfall from nearby residential areas. Over time, several vendors had expanded beyond permitted limits, setting up unauthorised stalls and semi-permanent structures on public land.
Civic authorities highlighted that these encroachments:
- Blocked pedestrian pathways
- Caused daily traffic bottlenecks
- Led to safety and hygiene concerns
- Violated municipal regulations on public space usage
The demolition drive aimed to reclaim public areas and ensure smoother movement for pedestrians and vehicles.
Civic Objective: Reclaim Public Spaces
The BMC stated that the main goal of the campaign is to create clean, safe, and obstruction-free public spaces for residents of Kandivali West. Similar enforcement drives are expected to continue across Mumbai to curb illegal encroachments and regulate hawking zones effectively.
Impact on Local Real Estate and Urban Planning
From a real estate perspective, such anti-encroachment actions help enhance neighbourhood infrastructure and improve the overall urban environment. Kandivali West is a fast-growing residential micro-market, and clearing illegal structures supports planned commercial activity and better civic compliance.
Improved public space management can positively influence:
- Pedestrian-friendly infrastructure
- Traffic flow in commercial streets
- Overall livability of residential neighbourhoods
- Property value stability in organised housing pockets
Conclusion
The demolition drive at Mahavir Nagar Khau Galli reflects the BMC’s ongoing efforts to tackle illegal encroachments and reclaim public spaces in Mumbai’s suburbs. Conducted jointly by civic ward officials and local police, the operation removed dozens of unauthorised structures, improving accessibility and reducing congestion in Kandivali West’s bustling food street hub.
With continued enforcement drives planned across the city, the move signals stronger civic action toward organised urban development and regulated commercial activity.