A large-scale eviction and demolition drive began on Tuesday in the Garib Nagar slum area, adjoining Bandra East railway station in Mumbai, based on the directives issued by the Bombay High Court.
Western Railway authorities launched the operation to clear unauthorised structures from railway land as part of a major infrastructure expansion and redevelopment project. Officials said the drive will continue over the next four days.
Visuals from the site showed heavy police deployment, demolition machinery, and debris removal operations as teams continued clearing structures in the densely populated settlement area.
Residents oppose drive
Amid the ongoing demolition, some residents expressed anger and helplessness over the eviction.
“Today if Sunil Dutt were here, no one would have been able to touch or move us from this area,” a Garib Nagar resident said during the operation.
We were safe only because we voted for Sunil Dutt: Garib Nagar resident shares his ordeal amidst Western Railway`s demolition.#Bandra #bandraslum #garibnagar #westernrailway #mumbai #mumbainews pic.twitter.com/csTykLBcqN
— Mid Day (@mid_day) May 19, 2026
Demolition drive linked to railway expansion plans
The demolition drive is connected to Western Railway’s long-pending project to expand the fifth and sixth railway lines on the Santacruz–Mumbai Central corridor, aimed at easing congestion on Mumbai’s suburban rail network.
Officials said the cleared land will help facilitate nearly 50 new originating trains from Mumbai and support the expansion of Bandra Terminus.
The additional space will further be used to connect Bandra suburban station with Bandra Terminus and segregate suburban and long-distance rail operations for smoother train movement.
RLDA redevelopment plans
The land is also strategically significant for future commercial redevelopment. The Rail Land Development Authority (RLDA) had recently auctioned nearby prime railway land to private developers for modernisation projects.
High court directions on rehabilitation
The Bombay High Court had permitted railway authorities to remove unauthorised encroachments on railway land, observing that settlements and waste accumulation were affecting railway infrastructure and track safety.
However, the court also directed authorities to protect the rights of eligible slum dwellers identified during official baseline surveys. It stated that residents entitled to rehabilitation cannot be evicted without being provided alternative accommodation by the state government.
Officials said around 100 legal residents identified under rehabilitation norms have already been provided accommodation, while action will be taken against the remaining unauthorised occupants.
Massive civic operation underway
The operation involves coordination between railway authorities, civic agencies, and law enforcement personnel, highlighting the scale of Mumbai’s ongoing infrastructure and urban redevelopment push.
