Western Railways launched a massive anti-encroachment drive in Mumbai’s Garib Nagar, demolishing hundreds of structures near Bandra station to reclaim valuable railway land.

Mumbai: In the biggest anti-encroachment drive ever undertaken by Western Railways in Mumbai, officials started demolishing hundreds of structures in Garib Nagar near Bandra railway station after getting approval from the courts. The operation, which began on Tuesday and continued amid violence on Wednesday, aims to reclaim about 5,200 square meters of railway land worth about Rs 600 crore.Officials said the settlement has expanded dangerously close to active railway infrastructure, including Harbor Line tracks and overhead electric equipment (OHE) masts. Many multi-storey slum structures had reportedly risen above the height of nearby footbridges, raising safety concerns for train operations and future railway expansion.What caused the destruction?According to railway officials, the proceedings under the Public Premises Act had started before 2017, and eviction orders were issued on November 27, 2017. The case then remained tied up in litigation before the Bombay High Court and later the Supreme Court of India.The Bombay High Court order passed on April 29 this year was later upheld in further proceedings and not stayed by the Supreme Court, allowing authorities to remove unauthorized encroachments while protecting structures found eligible through the joint survey process.Western Railways said around 500 huts were identified for demolition, while around 100 structures deemed eligible for rehabilitation or alternative housing were left untouched.Railway expansion plan is behind the approvalThe reclaimed land is expected to be used for expansion of major railway infrastructure around Bandra station. Western Railways is planning integrated development for both suburban and long distance train operations as part of Mumbai’s future capacity addition projects.Officials said the land around Bandra station is strategically important due to its proximity to the railway corridor and the nearby Bandra-Kurla Complex business district. Authorities have long viewed dense settlement as both a security threat and an obstacle to planned infrastructure integration.large scale deployment for operationThe demolition operation began with heavy security deployment. Authorities deployed around 400 police personnel, 400 GRP and RPF personnel and around 200 railway officials and staff in the area.To maintain law and order, several access points into Garib Nagar were sealed, including:

Barricades were put up on the roads around Bandra station and Bandra Terminus, causing severe traffic jams and many railway passengers were forced to walk with luggage after vehicles were diverted.Violence flares up the next dayThe demolition action initially took place peacefully on Wednesday morning, but tension escalated around 3 pm when officials moved in to demolish an allegedly illegal prayer structure near the Bandra East Skywalk. Officials also claimed that a private telecom tower was installed there illegally.Police said the protesters threw stones, utensils and other objects at the demolition teams, leading to a lathi charge. Seven policemen and six protesters were injured, while 10 people were detained.An FIR was lodged at Nirmal Nagar police station on charges of unlawful assembly, rioting and attacking government officials. The injured were treated at Bhabha Hospital and VN Desai Hospital. Two injured persons – a policeman and a protestor – were admitted and said to be stable.Additional Police Commissioner Abhinav Deshmukh warned of strict legal action against those involved in the violence.

Residents allege lack of rehabilitationMany residents claimed that they have been living in Garib Nagar for decades and have civic documents such as house tax papers, water tax receipts and authorized electricity connections issued by the BMC.The families alleged that they were either given very little time to vacate or no arrangements were made for proper rehabilitation before the demolition. As bulldozers moved through the area, many residents – including children, senior citizens and newborns – were seen sitting outside near salvaged items in the scorching heat.Many residents also expressed anger that the demolition occurred just days before Eid celebrations on May 27. Locals said preparations for the festival were underway when the operation began.Some residents argued that earlier political leaders had assured the settlement of safety and said the government should provide compensation or alternative housing before carrying out demolition.By the end of the second day, officials said that about 60% of the demolition work had been completed. Western Railway has indicated that operations will continue till May 23 amid tight security arrangements.