MP Suresh Mhatre Reopens Blocked Kongaon Village Road In Bhiwandi
On Wednesday, a long-standing public access road on Gurucharan land in Kongaon village, Bhiwandi taluka, was reopened after Bhiwandi MP Suresh Mhatre intervened to clear an alleged encroachment by a developer. The blocked pathway, which had been closed off with tin-sheet barricades, was cleared using a JCB machine in the presence of local revenue and rural development officials.
The dispute arose when Mayur Suchak, a developer associated with the Megas City project, allegedly encroached upon the Gurucharan land. According to local residents, the developer blocked the traditional village pathway by erecting tin-sheet barricades.
The road had been in use for decades, and its closure caused severe inconvenience to the local residents, particularly members of the tribal community. Villagers alleged that tribal women and other residents were being prevented from accessing a nearby pond and well to fetch water, which led to rising public resentment.
Following complaints from the affected residents, MP Suresh Mhatre, also known as Balya Mama, personally visited the site. He directed Bhiwandi Tahsildar Abhijit Khole and Block Development Officer Sudhakar Khamkar to take immediate action to restore access.
Acting on the MP's instructions, the local administration deployed a JCB machine to dismantle the tin-sheet barricades and reopen the road.
The clearance operation was carried out in the presence of Tahsildar Khole, Block Development Officer Khamkar, and officials from the Kongaon Police Station. Kongaon Gram Panchayat Sarpanch Rekha Patil, former Sarpanch Dr. Rupali Karale, and a large number of local villagers and tribal community members also gathered at the site.
Local residents welcomed the restoration of the access road, expressing relief that their connection to essential water sources had been restored.
MP Suresh Mhatre issued a stern warning following the operation, stating that encroachment on government land and the blocking of traditional public pathways would not be tolerated under any circumstances. He added that the administration would take legal action, including the removal of illegal constructions, against anyone attempting to obstruct the road again.
The administration has indicated that it will closely monitor the site to prevent any future attempts to block the public route.
