Though a delegation of larri-galla owners called on Municipal Commissioner S Jagadeesan and other civic officials, requesting them not to remove their structures, as they had been in the area for past many years, the civic authorities turned down their plea, saying that the structures were obstructing traffic on the busy road.

The decision to remove larri-gallas was taken by Jagadeesan and Police Commissioner Maniram at a meeting held on last Sunday. However, the decision could not be implemented immediately as Chowpati area was crowded on weekends. And Sunday being a holiday, the Surat Municipal Corporation officials could not be called for action. The decision finally came into force on Saturday.

Some of larri-galla owners had even built permanent structures on pavements which had been inconveniencing the motorists. In the past, the mayor and civic officials had been approached by the residents to remove the larri-gallas. A number of councillors, including present Mayor Savita Sharda and Health Committee Chairman Raju Desai had been consistently raising the issue in general board meeting and demanding their removal from Chowpati area.

Earlier some of these larri-gallas had been shifted behind the Chowpati area after the owners procured a stay order from the court, which directed the Surat Municipal Corporation to provide them with alternative sites before demolishing their structures. In spite of this arrangement, these larri-galla owners returned to Chowpati.