MUMBAI, 31 JANUARY 2026 (GPN/ SACHIN MURDESHWAR📞 8108510506): Newly elected Shiv Sena corporator Ritesh Kamlesh Rai from Ward No. 86 in the Andheri East Assembly constituency has taken proactive steps to address civic issues in the Marol area and has begun taking concrete action. Due to the absence of corporators over the past four years, the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) was under administrative rule, which caused difficulties for Mumbaikars in receiving basic civic amenities. Now, with newly elected corporators taking charge, civic works have started gaining momentum.

From Marol Military Road Junction to Marol Bhavan, Marol Makwana Road, and up to Andheri–Kurla Road, illegal hawkers had encroached on both sides of the road and were using footpaths for commercial purposes. In many places, hawkers were using stoves and gas cylinders on a large scale. As a result, schoolchildren and pedestrians were unable to walk on the footpaths. Additionally, buses, trucks, and four-wheelers were being illegally parked on both sides of the road, causing severe traffic congestion. Several areas had also become unhygienic and foul-smelling.

Taking serious note of these issues, newly elected corporator Ritesh Rai lodged complaints with the Assistant Municipal Commissioner of the BMC’s Eastern Suburbs, the MIDC Police Station, and senior officials from the Traffic and Control Department, demanding joint action. Responding to this request, the concerned departments carried out a coordinated drive, clearing and cleaning the roads.

Action has been initiated against illegal hawkers, and illegal parking has been removed. Due to this decisive action by corporator Ritesh Rai, thousands of residents in the area, including those from Vasant Oasis Society, have received significant relief, and local residents have expressed satisfaction with the drive.

Former corporator Kamlesh Rai, while reacting to the action, stated that due to the absence of a corporator in the Marol area over the last four years, residents had faced many problems. However, since Ritesh Rai was elected as corporator, efforts have begun to resolve local issues and provide essential civic amenities to the residents.