Illegal encroachments along both sides of the road mainly caused the heavy flooding on the Mumbai-Ahmedabad Highway, especially near Sasunavghar in Vasai East, after the first spell of rain last week. The Manager (Technical) of the Mumbai-Ahmedabad Highway, of the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) Sumit Kumar told mid-day they have identified 300 encroachers along the road and issued them notices after their recent two-month-long drive. 

He blamed the municipal corporation for allowing the encroachments and said they have asked the body to act against the culprits. The MBVV police will lodge an FIR against the encroachers. The drive was conducted between Virar phata and Versova bridge on National Highway (NH-48) from February to mid-April this year, said Kumar, adding, “We have faced major encroachments by the illegal dhabas, resorts, hotels, car washing centres, spas, salons, studios, etc. Most of these establishments are either constructed on the land of National Highway or our land is being used to park vehicles for their guests.”