Officials said the operation is expected to continue over the next four days. Pic/ Atul Kamble

The demolition drive is linked to Western Railway’s long-pending plan to expand the fifth and sixth railway lines on the Santacruz-Mumbai Central corridor, a project aimed at easing suburban commuter congestion and improving rail operations. Pic/ Atul Kamble

The cleared land is also strategically important for commercial redevelopment plans in the area. Pic/ Atul Kamble

The Rail Land Development Authority (RLDA) had recently auctioned nearby prime railway land to private developers for modernisation projects. Pic/ Atul Kamble

The Bombay High Court had allowed railway authorities to proceed with the demolition of unauthorised structures encroaching on railway land, observing that the accumulation of settlements and waste posed a threat to railway infrastructure and track safety. Pic/ Atul Kamble

At the same time, the court directed authorities to safeguard the rights of eligible slum dwellers identified during official baseline surveys. Pic/ Atul Kamble

The court stated that residents entitled to rehabilitation cannot be evicted without being provided alternative housing by the state government. Pic/ Atul Kamble

The ongoing operation reflects the scale of Mumbai’s infrastructure expansion challenges, involving extensive coordination between railway authorities, civic agencies and law enforcement personnel. Pic/ Atul Kamble

Visuals from the site showed demolition machinery, debris removal operations and heavy police deployment as authorities continued clearing structures in the densely populated settlement area. Pic/ Atul Kamble

Except for the legal 100 inhabitants, all others will face action. The legal inhabitants have been given accommodation. Pic/ Sameer Abedi

The freed-up space will be used to facilitate 50 new originating trains from Mumbai and the expansion of Bandra Terminus. The additional space will be used to connect Bandra suburban station to Bandra terminus and segregate suburban trains. Pic/ Sameer Abedi

Western Railway on Tuesday said the ongoing encroachment removal drive at Garib Nagar in Bandra East is being carried out in compliance with court directives and is necessary for railway safety and future infrastructure expansion. Pic/ Sameer Abedi

In an official statement, Western Railway said the operation, launched on May 19, follows a legal process spanning several years and is not a sudden or arbitrary action. Pic/ Sameer Abedi

Residents of Garib Nagar stand beside their belongings as authorities carry out an encroachment removal drive in the area. Pic/ Mrinal Doshi

Meanwhile, Western Railway said the latest Bombay High Court orders dated April 29, 2026, later upheld in subsequent proceedings and before the Supreme Court, permitted the removal of unauthorised encroachments while protecting eligible structures identified through a joint survey process. Pic/ Mrinal Doshi

The railway administration stated that the operation is focused on land located in a 'railway safety zone' adjacent to active tracks, where unauthorised settlements allegedly pose risks to human life and train movement. Pic/ Mrinal Doshi