Surat Municipal Corporation identifies 40 encroaching shrines

Surat, May 3 (UNI) Even as the demolition of a century-old ''dargah'' in Vadodara has sparked violence there, the Surat Municipal Corporation (SMC) has identified about 40 places of worship that are encroaching on the roads.

The SMC will decide on which shrines are to be removed after conducting a survey, SMC commissioner Pankaj Joshi said, speaking informally to reporters here today.

Mr Joshi, however, said that the civic body will consider 1947 as the cut-off year, while deciding on the action to be initiated against the encroaching shrines.

The civic body will strictly adhere to the Gujarat High Court directives while carrying out the demolitions, he said adding that discussions will also be held with community leaders before initiating any action.

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