Opera House will be free of illegal parking, hawkers: CM

MUMBAI: A delegation of diamond merchant and jeweller associations met chief minister Prithviraj Chavan at his official residence, Varsha, on Thursday night to demand more security at Opera House following the triple blasts on July 13.
The merchants demanded 24x7 police vigil in the area, removal of illegal hawkers from lanes near the blast site, no-parking zones near Panchratna and Prasad Chambers for two-wheelers, better intelligence-gathering by police and installation of more CCTVs in the diamond hub.
Diamond merchant Sanjay Shah, who was part of the delegation, said, "The CM gave us a patient hearing and assured us complete support. He will ensure that security is enhanced."
Chavan also said that he would personally survey the area and he was keen on no parking in the area and it being free of hawkers.
Local member of Parliament Milind Deora, who was present at the meeting, also extended support to the diamond merchants.
In a letter to the CM, the merchants mentioned that the street next to Panchratna was always packed with brokers and small individual traders who did not have their own offices. "There are also many part-time job-seekers for assorted purposes on that street. Many brokers use that lane to visit exporters to show and sell merchandise. The sides of the lanes are jammed with two-wheelers and street-food vendors. Many people also come over for snacks on the street, also known as Khau Galli, and it is heavily crowded," the letter stated.
It said, "There are three entrances to the street. We want to erect gates at all the entrances. We plan to issue identity cards to all connected with the diamond industry. This will help curb the nuisance of street vendors and illegal scooter parking in the lane, thus helping to improve overall security."
The merchants also demanded three small beat chowkies near the gate, with armed policemen.
"We want the government to assure us complete protection when we shift business to the Bandra-Kurla complex," said a member of the Mumbai Diamond Merchants' Association. The merchants also submitted a memorandum bearing 2,000 signatures, Shah added.
Merchants' & jewellers' demands
* 24x7 police vigil at Opera House
* Removal of illegal hawkers
* No-parking of two-wheelers in area
* Protection if diamond market shifts to Bandra
* More CCTVs in area and police to monitor private clippings regularly
* Three gates at lanes near Khau Galli
* 3 beat chowkies with armed policemen
* Better intelligence-gathering by cops