Mumbai, (The Hindu): The BMC demolished 18 illegal stalls on Bandra’s Linking and Hill Roads in H West Ward on Thursday, as per orders of the Bombay High Court.

Of the 18 stalls demolished, 17 were located in Bandra and one on Hill Road. The demolition order against the illegal stalls was issued by Deputy Municipal Commissioner Vasant Prabhu. BMC officers said the demolition drive was carried out after all procedures including serving notices demanding proof of valid licenses and a show cause notice had been followed. Two inspection drives had been conducted as well, civic officials said.

The 20-strong civic team used three trucks and a JCB, and was given protection by 20 police personnel. The stalls pulled down mostly dealt with cutlery and clothes. When the first notice was issued, BMC realised the stall owners were not operating legally.

During investigation, the BMC discovered that a stall owner in Bandra owned two restaurants in the same area. His stall, officials said, was illegal, as licenses were issued only to those who did not have other sources of income.

As a punitive measure, hawker licenses of all concerned stall owners have been revoked on the basis of encroachment and illegal operation. “The stretch is now cleared of stalls. Open space has been automatically created for pedestrians and residents,” Assistant Municipal Commissioner Sharad Ugade said.