Rs 600 crore rail land, Eid fears: Why Mumbai eviction drive turned chaotic

Western Railway commenced a massive anti-encroachment drive at Garib Nagar, Mumbai, demolishing hundreds of structures near Bandra station to reclaim valuable railway land. Also read What triggered the demolition Railway expansion plans behind the clearance Massive deployment for the operation The BMC skywalk The Churchgate-end pedestrian bridge The Virar-end foot overbridge exit Also read Violence erupts on second day Residents allege lack of rehabilitation Also read Poll What is your view on the Bandra anti-encroachment drive? Necessary for railway safety and development Concerns over rehabilitation of affected residents MUMBAI: In the biggest anti-encroachment operations undertaken by Western Railway till date in Mumbai, officials began demolishing hundreds of structures at Garib Nagar near Bandra railway station after securing clearance from the courts.The drive, which started on Tuesday and continued amid violence on Wednesday, is aimed at reclaiming nearly 5,200 square metres of railway land estimated to be worth around Rs 600 crore.Authorities said the settlement had expanded dangerously close to active railway infrastructure, including Harbour line tracks and overhead electric equipment (OHE) masts. Several multi-storey slum structures had reportedly risen above the height of nearby footbridges, raising safety concerns for train operations and future railway expansion.According to railway officials, proceedings under the Public Premises Act began before 2017, and eviction orders were issued on November 27, 2017. The matter then remained tied up in litigation before the Bombay high court and later the Supreme Court of India.A Bombay high court order dated April 29 this year, later upheld in further proceedings and not stayed by the Supreme Court, allowed authorities to remove unauthorised encroachments while protecting structures found eligible through a joint survey process.Western Railway said around 500 hutments had been identified for demolition, while nearly 100 structures deemed eligible for rehabilitation or alternate accommodation were left untouched.The reclaimed land is expected to be used for major railway infrastructure expansion around Bandra station. Western Railway plans integrated development for both suburban and long-distance train operations as part of Mumbai’s future capacity augmentation projects.Officials said the land around Bandra station is strategically important because of its proximity to the railway corridor and the nearby Bandra-Kurla Complex business district. Authorities have long viewed the dense settlement as both a safety hazard and an obstruction to planned infrastructure integration.The demolition drive began with heavy security deployment. Authorities stationed around 400 police personnel, 400 GRP and RPF staff, and nearly 200 railway officials and workers in the area.To maintain law and order, several access points leading into Garib Nagar were sealed, including:Roads around Bandra station and Bandra Terminus were barricaded, triggering severe traffic congestion and forcing many rail passengers to walk with luggage after vehicles were diverted.While the demolition initially proceeded peacefully on Wednesday morning, tensions escalated around 3 pm when officials moved to raze an allegedly illegal prayer structure near the Bandra East skywalk. Authorities also claimed that a private telecom tower had been installed there illegally.Police said protesters hurled stones, utensils and other objects at demolition teams, prompting a lathicharge. Seven policemen and six protesters were injured, while 10 people were detained.An FIR was registered at Nirmal Nagar Police Station for unlawful assembly, rioting and assault on government officials. The injured were treated at Bhabha Hospital and V N Desai Hospital. Two injured persons — one policeman and one protester — were admitted and reported to be stable.Additional Commissioner of Police Abhinav Deshmukh warned of strict legal action against those involved in the violence.Many residents claimed they had lived in Garib Nagar for decades and possessed civic documents such as house tax papers, water tax receipts and authorised electricity connections issued by the BMC.Families alleged they were either given very little time to vacate or no proper rehabilitation arrangements before the demolitions. As bulldozers moved through the locality, many residents — including children, senior citizens and newborns — were seen sitting outdoors beside salvaged belongings under intense heat.Several residents also expressed anger that the demolitions came 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 protection to the settlement and said the government should provide compensation or alternate housing before carrying out demolitions.By the end of the second day, authorities said nearly 60% of the demoli