Mangalore: The Bantwal municipality and the police conducted a drive  on Tuesday, to remove all  unauthorized shops which were functioning below the flyover on B.C Road.  The rickshaw drivers refused to stand by the orders of the municipal members, if fast food stalls and illegal shops were evicted.

On Tuesday, while, some shop owners themselves agreed to remove their business outlets,  the police along with the officers of the municipality had to use a JCB to remove other shops and food stalls.

The commuters faced a lot of problem in the city due to the mushrooming of unauthorized shops. The shops not only blocked parking space for the vehicles but also congested the city causing slow vehicular movement.

Therefore, the members of the municipality  discussed about the eviction many a times, before they plunged into action.

At a municipal meeting held last month, the members came to a conclusion that these shops should be removed to decongest the city.

Meanwhile, the rickshaw drivers opposed the decision to  remove  the rickshaw parking stand from its current location. The union said that they will only agree, if the municipality provides an alternative place. There was a heated debate between the police and the rickshaw drivers. Finally, the officers decided to discuss the issue with the drivers in the next meeting.

Leena Britto of town municipality, engineer Dominic D’Mellow, health officer Rajshekar, Bantwal police too were part of the drive.