Owners' protest delays debris clearance at Rangar Galli until Mayor Sameer Rajurkar steps in

A municipal corporation team reached Rangar Galli in Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar on Saturday, October 24, to clear the debris of a dangerous building that falls within a road-widening project. It faced a protest from the owners of the site. The family concerned took a firm stand that it would hand over possession only after receiving compensation for the land. The action remained stalled for about two hours.

Eventually, Mayor Sameer Rajurkar stepped in and mediated. He spoke to the people concerned, after which the protest subsided and the way was cleared for removing the debris. The debris was cleared after noon.

The matter concerns Rangar Galli, which runs from Gulmandi towards City Chowk. The municipal corporation had demolished the dangerous building of Sundar Dudh Dairy there last year. As the building stood in the way of the road, it was necessary to clear its debris and take possession of the land.

The land is owned by Meghawale. Because the corporation did not get possession, cement road work in this stretch was also held up. In addition, a small shop had come up there, obstructing traffic.

Against this background, the municipal team reached the spot on Saturday to clear the debris under the guidance of Deputy Commissioner Savita Sonawane. The Meghawale family said it would not give up possession without compensation and opposed the action. Officials told them to apply for compensation.

The action was carried out on the orders of Commissioner Amol Yedge, led by Santosh Wahule, control officer of the anti-encroachment department. Deputy Commissioner Savita Sonawane, Assistant Commissioner Sanjay Surdkar, Assistant Commissioner of Ward 1 Lata Pujari, building inspectors Ravindra Desai and Sundar Kharat, and the Nagrik Mitra squad were present at the site.