Western Railway has begun one of its largest anti-encroachment operations in Mumbai, demolishing hundreds of structures in Garib Nagar near Bandra railway station after receiving clearance from the courts, reports TOI. The drive, which started on Tuesday and continued amid violence on Wednesday, aims to reclaim nearly 5,200 square metres of railway land valued at around Rs 600 crore.
Authorities told TOI the settlement had expanded dangerously close to active railway infrastructure, including Harbour line tracks and overhead electric equipment masts. Several multi-storey structures had reportedly risen above nearby footbridges, raising safety concerns for train operations and future expansion plans.
Legal clearance follows prolonged litigation
Railway officials said proceedings under the Public Premises Act had begun before 2017, with eviction orders issued on November 27, 2017, reports TOI. The matter remained under litigation in the Bombay High Court and later the Supreme Court.
A Bombay High Court order dated April 29 this year, subsequently upheld and not stayed by the Supreme Court, allowed removal of unauthorised structures while protecting those found eligible through a joint survey.
Western Railway stated that around 500 hutments were marked for demolition, while nearly 100 structures identified for rehabilitation or alternate accommodation were spared.
Land earmarked for Bandra station expansion
The reclaimed land is intended for major railway infrastructure expansion around Bandra station. Western Railway plans integrated development for suburban and long-distance operations as part of Mumbai’s future capacity augmentation projects.
Officials said the location is strategically important due to its proximity to the railway corridor and the Bandra-Kurla Complex business district. The settlement has long been viewed as a safety concern and an obstacle to infrastructure integration.
