Authorities on Wednesday razed 30 illegal shops in Ghaziabad in Uttar Pradesh, officials and shop owners said.
The Ghaziabad Development Authority (GDA) carried out the demolition in Vaishali, a sprawling residential colony adjoining Delhi.
GDA Secretary Ravendra Godbole said the shops were built without approval and the shopkeepers continued to do business despite repeated requests to vacate the place.
GDA officials they would later target properties which have been allotted for residential purpose but were being used for commercial activities.
The officials say their moves are part of guidelines of the Yogi Adityanath government to curb illegalities.
The furious shopkeepers told IANS that Sunil Sharma, the BJP MLA from Sahibabad, had assured them that no harm would come to their shops but was now silent.
GDA's Godbole said they were acting on government orders.
"First, we have to make the city congestion free, especially the major roads. Then we shall enter the city lanes," he said.
--IANS
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