Steel traders in Navi Mumbai are urging the police to take action following the recent theft of an 18-wheel trailer loaded with steel worth ₹23 lakhs. The incident occurred near the Uran Phata Bridge in Nerul on November 13, when criminals intercepted the trailer carrying 33 metric tonnes of steel.
According to the owner of the trailer, Nikka Bashir Mohammad, four men in a Wagon R approached the vehicle on the Mumbai-Pune lane of Sion Panvel Highway, claiming their vehicle had broken down. When the driver refused to get down from the trailer, the criminals physically assaulted both the driver and the cleaner, took control of the trailer, and drove away.
This incident has raised serious concerns among steel traders in the area, who believe that illegal scrap dealers are behind such thefts. They claim that, on average, 1 metric tonne of steel is stolen from every consignment, but the situation has escalated with entire trailers now being hijacked. The traders are demanding better security measures and strict actions against illegal scrap dealers, considering the significant GST contributions made by the steel sector.
Deepak Singh, a trader from Kalamboli steel market, has filed a complaint with the Navi Mumbai police and is contemplating approaching the High Court for further action. He highlighted a similar theft incident from two years ago, where a trailer loaded with steel worth ₹19 lakhs was stolen, but only a portion of the material was recovered even after filing an FIR.
Traders are now calling for police raids on scrap dealers who operate without proper documentation. They believe that conducting regular raids on such establishments will deter thefts and prevent illegal activities in the market area. DCP zone 2 Prashant Mohite has assured that the authorities will investigate the complaints and take necessary actions to address the situation.
Steel traders are urging the police to step up security measures and crack down on illegal activities to ensure the safety of their goods and businesses. The recurring theft incidents have created a sense of insecurity among traders, and they are looking to the authorities for swift and effective interventions to combat the issue. Additional police presence and enforcement actions are needed to protect the interests of legitimate businesses and prevent further losses in the steel trading sector in Navi Mumbai.
