Illegal gate to adulterated grease godown finally pulled down

It was a month ago we had carried a lead story on ‘Illegal and adulterated chemical being processed in godowns at Chunnabatti, Kalina’. Our Asst Editor, Sunita D’Silva along with our team around midnight visited Chunnabati at Vakola-Kurla after we received a tip-off regarding manufacturing and storing of adulterated and illegal chemicals in various godowns. At that time a barrel of adulterated acid blasted and the highly dangerous fumes engulfed the entire area. Further, while surveying the area it was also noticed that the gutter on Mithi River has been illegally encroached and illegal activities are being carried out in the area. To hide their illegal adulterated activities an illegal gate had also been fixed whereby prohibiting entry so that their illegal activities can flourish. Inside this area it was learnt that illegal and adulterated grease godown is located which had been locked while our team visited the spot. The illegal adulterated grease carried out in the area was also reported to the local corporator.  The local corporator had been following up with BMC for a long time regarding these illegal encroachments and adulterated chemical godowns. But, no action had been taken by BMC. Further, it was also learnt that with the widening of Mithi River, the illegal adulterated chemical activities which were being carried out at that site have now moved to Chunabatti. Many residents of the area complained and told Santacruz Patrika that these illegal godownds storing adulterated chemicals are highly hazardous and dangerous to the inhabitants of the area.
Then, with the burning of Sonawane by the oil mafia the Maharashtra government have begun raids on illegal and adulterated godowns. The Mumbai crime branch raided a godown in Kalina and seized more than 80,000 litres of adulterated diesel, commonly referred to as black oil.
However, along with the local corporator Alice Therattil we persuaded the matter to ensure that all illegal activities in the area are stopped and the illegal gate being constructed at Ram Pyare Compound is demolished. It was a few days ago the illegal gate at the compound was finally demolished.
While speaking to Alice Therattil she said, “I have been persuading with BMC for a long time but they have been delaying the matter. Also, the police have been delaying the demolition with petty excuses that police force is not available for deployment. Finally, after taking up the matter with Municipal Commissioner and Addnl Commissioner of Police, West, the demolition of the illegal gate was finally carried out.”
Further, while speaking to Omprakash Ram Pyare, son of Ram Pyare he told Santacruz Patrika, “My father who has expired has been living in Ram Pyare Compound for the past 50 years and hence being our property the gate to our compound was installed which is legal.” However, the corporator disputes his claims and clarifies that the plot belongs to the Wadia Trust and BMC had constructed a culvert over the gutter of Mithi River. This plot of land was illegally encroached and with the construction of the gate we have been finding it difficult to clean the gutters as the gate is locked. This in fact leads to choking up of the gutters and heavy flooding in Kalina.
When Santacruz Patrika asked Omprakash Ram Pyare to show the documents to authenticate his claims that the property belongs to his father he was reluctant to show any documents and on the contrary admitted that he would first have to consult a BJP worker of the area before furnishing any documents. The question that arises is – Who is the BJP worker to be consulted for authenticity of proof? Is the BJP worker in hand and glove in helping illegal encroachments and adulterated chemical activities in the area? It has been noticed that many gutters in the area have been choked with adulterated chemicals and grease. The BMC has been extremely lethargic in implementing action in the flourishing of illegal activities at Shastri Nagar and Chunnabatti. Earlier too, a political worker from the area had been trying to encroach a public toilet area for installing an electric cabin which was stalled.