Action taken against 31 paan stalls and another 8 including hotels, pubs and bars 

 The Thane Municipal Corporation (TMC) has initiated a crackdown on illegal pubs and bars, along with paan stalls selling gutka, under its jurisdiction. This stern action follows orders from Chief Minister Eknath Shinde to make the state drug-free, directing the administration to take concrete measures. Acting on the directive of Thane Municipal Commissioner Saurabh Rao, authorities have moved to evict pubs, bars, and illegal constructions involved in narcotics sales across the municipal area.

In this operation, 31 paan stalls located within 100 meters of schools and colleges were seized, along with action taken at 8 establishments including hotels, pubs, bars, and sheds. Commissioner Saurabh Rao has mandated action against such establishments in alignment with Ward Committee guidelines, starting from Thursday, June 27th, with oversight from Deputy Commissioners of the Encroachment Control and Eviction Department, Assistant Commissioners, and police.

Specific actions included seizing unauthorized paan stalls and gutkha vendors within Wagle Ward Committee's jurisdiction, and addressing issues at venues like Panchsheel Bar and Indian Taste Bar. In Vartak Nagar Ward Committee area, The Secret Bar and Hookah Parlour were targeted, alongside pubs and bars in Kothari Compound. The operation also addressed illegal constructions and illicit activities at Social House Pub.

Under the Lokmanya Savarkarnagar Ward Committee, dens near Rajshree Shahu Maharaj Vidyalaya and Gnanodaya Vidyalaya were sealed. Similar actions were carried out in other areas such as Uthalsar, Rabodi, Ghodbunder Road, Ovala, Chitalsar Manpada, Sinewander area, Kapurbavadi, Naupada Kopri, Kalwa, and Diva Ward Committees, resulting in the closure of unauthorized establishments near schools and removal of smoking materials.

Additional Commissioner 2 Prashant Rode, Deputy Commissioner of Encroachment Control and Eviction Department Godepure, and other officials supervised these operations, ensuring adherence to guidelines set forth by the Municipal Corporation. Deputy Commissioner Godepure emphasized that these efforts will continue until all unauthorized hotels, pubs, bars, and taverns within municipal limits are completely eradicated.