Sanjay Katkar's action has sent shockwaves through the local hotel lobby.

MIRA BHAYANDER: The recent demolition drive carried out by the Mira Bhayander Municipal Corporation (MBMC) against illegal bars and pubs has sent shockwaves through the local hotel lobby.

The aggressive action, led by MBMC chief Sanjay Katkar, has caught the hotel owners off-guard, who were seemingly operating with a sense of impunity until now. The drive, which saw the demolition of two such unauthorized establishments, has exposed the nexus between these illegal businesses and the powers that be.

The move comes on the heels of Chief Minister Eknath Shinde's directive to raze all illegal bars and pubs, especially in the wake of the Pune incident involving alleged drug consumption at a similar setup.

MBMC's survey revealed that out of around 150 establishments in the municipal limits, 22 were identified as illegal, with these being frequented by youth for the consumption of narcotics and alcohol.

The swift action by the civic body, backed by a strong police presence along with police chief IPS Madhukar Pandey, has rattled the hotel lobby, who has been operating in the gray zone for years. The demolition drive has not only disrupted their business but also raised questions about the complicity of the authorities in allowing these illegal establishments to thrive.

The crackdown also revives the memories of a similar action two years ago, when 13 dance bars and 45 other bars were shut down in the Mira-Bhayandar area following protests by local MLA Pratap Sarnaik. However, the issue had cooled down over time, allowing the bars to resurface.

This time, the MBMC chief's firm stance suggests that the authorities are determined to address the issue more decisively, sending a strong message to the hotel lobby that their days of operating in the shadows may be numbered.