In an effort to clear illegal encroachments within the city, the Udaipur Municipal Corporation  team carried out an Anti-Encroachment Drive on March 31,2024. Many encroachments and objects were removed in which the iconic banyan tree at Hathipole, a long-standing landmark, was among the first to be taken down. Following this, on March 2, the adjacent juice shop, which had operated beneath the tree for a significant period was also removed.

Despite facing opposition in certain areas, the municipal team remained resolute in their enforcement efforts. Commencing at 10:00 AM, the operation saw the removal of stalls and encroachments along Shastri Circle and Ashok Marg before progressing towards Hathipole.

At Hathipole, a shop operating on the roadside, originally designated for temporary trading under a makeshift market licence, was removed using heavy machinery. Municipal sources revealed that the shopkeeper had violated the terms of the licence by constructing a permanent structure, rendering the operation illegal.

Supervised by Municipal Officials CI Mangi Lal Dangi, Revenue Officer Vijay Jain, and Rahul Meena, the operation encountered resistance from a young man selling watermelons in auto. Despite his protest, the municipal team successfully managed to restrain him, and he was subsequently taken into custody by Hathipole Police Station.

With Hathipole cleared, the municipal team continued their efforts, removing encroachments from Jhariya Marg to Shiksha Bhawan  intersection. Accompanied by bulldozers, cranes, and gas cutters, confiscated items were loaded onto a mini-truck, while tin shed iron angles were dismantled outside shops.