19 May,2026 03:06 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondent
The railway administration stated that the operation is focused on land located in a `railway safety zone` adjacent to active track. Pic/ Atul Kamble
Western Railway (WR) 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.
In an official statement, WR said the operation, launched on May 19, follows a legal process spanning several years and is not a sudden or arbitrary action.
According to the railway authorities, proceedings under the Public Premises Act were initiated before 2017, and eviction orders were passed on November 27, 2017.
The matter subsequently underwent judicial scrutiny for nearly nine years, including hearings before the Bombay HC and the Supreme Court.
WR said the latest Bombay High Court (HC) 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.
Officials clarified that structures marked for protection are not being disturbed during the demolition drive.
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.
WR further said the stretch is operationally critical for expanding Mumbai's rail capacity and improving mobility for millions of commuters.
According to officials, the cleared land will support future infrastructure projects, including the augmentation of the fifth and sixth railway lines, operational flexibility and the introduction of additional long-distance train services from Mumbai.
The demolition drive is being carried out jointly with civil administration officials, police personnel and railway security agencies to maintain law and order and ensure the operation is conducted in a humane manner, the statement added.
"Railway land cannot remain perpetually encroached, especially in safety-sensitive operational areas," WR said, while adding that the administration is acting strictly within the framework of law and judicial directions.
The railway authorities also urged that reporting on the issue should balance humanitarian concerns with the larger public interest of railway safety and transport infrastructure development.
