Vashi encroachment drive action by the Navi Mumbai Municipal Corporation has resulted in Rs 1.4 lakh in fines over two days, after officials targeted businesses and unauthorised hawkers occupying pedestrian pathways and shared spaces in sectors 9, 10, 15 and 16.
The NMMC’s Vashi department took action against around 50 to 60 establishments and unauthorised hawkers during inspections carried out in the area. Officials removed encroachments and imposed penalties on those found using spaces intended for pedestrians and common use.
According to the report, some shops had placed goods outside their premises in shared areas, blocked space for customers or expanded their business operations beyond permitted areas. Hawkers were also found occupying footpaths and other public-use spaces, reducing the area available for pedestrians.
The civic action follows complaints and concerns over movement through parts of Vashi where footpaths and common areas have been used for commercial activity. The affected areas include sectors 9, 10, 15 and 16, where the municipal team conducted inspections before removing the reported obstructions and recovering fines.
Sukhdev Yedve, assistant commissioner of the Vashi department, said inspections would also be carried out in other parts of Vashi and that action would be taken against those found encroaching on shared spaces and footpaths. The department has renewed its enforcement activity after the pace of anti-encroachment action slowed during the monsoon period.
The municipal administration is responsible for keeping shared spaces and footpaths available for public use. However, the report also highlights the challenge of preventing encroachments from returning after enforcement teams leave. Regular inspections will therefore be required alongside the current removal and penalty action.
Municipal staff are also handling the special summary revision of electoral rolls, known as SIR, which has increased pressure on available personnel, according to civic sources cited in the report. The need for adequate staffing for sustained action against encroachments has consequently been raised within municipal circles.
The Vashi department is expected to continue inspections in other parts of the node. The next phase of enforcement will determine whether the cleared pedestrian and shared spaces remain free of renewed commercial obstruction.
