Anand Nagar Octroi Naka Hijacked By Agitators?
In the recent past, the Anand Nagar Octroi Naka in Mulund has become a ‘Retreat Center’ for the agitators coming into Mumbai from various parts of the state and agitating for their diverse demands. Citizens allege no sooner the Octroi Naka shut down, it has become the hub of relaxation for the agitators. First, the place was hijacked by the Adivasi Kisan Morcha. Soon after that, it was occupied by the Shramjivi Adivasi Morcha and, a few days, back the Maratha Morcha agitators, too, made ample use of the government place!!
Angry citizens are thus raising eyebrows that the government place which, legally, must be used for government purposes has, alas, been hijacked by various political parties who are utilising it for the interests of their agitators!! Citizens are questioning: Has the government- controlled Octroi Naka space become the de facto property of the agitators entering Mumbai???
It may be noted that Anand Nagar Octroi Naka, the entry point to Thane and Mumbai, was shut on July 1, 2017, after the implementation of GST. Thus, now all the vehicles from outside enter Mumbai without paying octroi as the tax has been already paid in the form of GST. As a result, the huge octroi naka space has been lying vacant and has been illegally hijacked by political parties and various organizations that are using the space for relaxation and rest for their hundreds of agitators who enter Mumbai to conduct huge morchas at Azad Maidan, Mumbai Vidhan Bhavan, etc.
RTO had asked the space for parking
When the Octroi Naka was closed, the RTO had requested the government and BMC to hand over the open space for parking. In addition, many other proposals were suggested like constructing an RTO office or a civil hospital, but both BMC and the government paid no heed to any suggestions and now the place has been hijacked by political parties and agitating outfits!!!
An unnecessary burden on police and BMC
Though the huge Octroi Naka serves as a comfort zone for the relaxation of agitators, it creates a huge burden on the police administration of both Thane and Mumbai. The responsibility of security and sanitation of these hundreds of agitators is upon the police and BMC!! The police have to create a security team, while the Health Department of BMC has to arrange mobile toilet facilities and create a conservancy team.
Since the place lies in the jurisdiction of Kopri, Naupada in Thane and Navghar Police station in Mulund East, police officials from all the three police divisions are deployed to maintain security. The police officials have to spend the entire night remaining awake, keeping a vigilant eye on the agitators. Since the place is close to the Dumping Ground and a huge nullah also flows nearby, hence the police have to be additionally cautious about snakes and other predators. They have to even shower anti-germicide powder and spray chemicals to prevent agitators from snake attacks and other microorganisms.
Further, as the Octroi Naka is at the Eastern Express Highway, hence the impact of these massive agitators also creates traffic issues and RTO goes hysterical controlling the enormous crowd.
BJP Corporator Prakash Gangdhare told Home Times, ” I had sent a proposal to the Chief Minister of Maharashtra demanding to set up an RTO office at the vacant Octroi space. But still I have not received any reply.” He added, “I think BMC must take the up issue seriously and ponder on a constructive use of the empty space. Right now people have to travel up to Wadala RTO office, but if BMC constructs an RTO office at the Anand Nagar Octroi Naka then it will be a boon for the people staying in Mumbai North East and the workload of Wadala RTO would also reduce.”
