Forest dept kicks off slum-demolition on Parsik tunnel

More than 100 slums on the Parsik Hill has weakened one of the oldest rail tunnels of Asia

The ever-increasing slum population on the Parsik tunnel has weakened the structure to a greater extent. However, it seems that the authorities concerned are finally serious about dealing with the problem. After struggling for months to take a decision on removing the illegal slums that have come up on the hill, the forest department started demolishing the structures on Tuesday.

Since April, the Central Railways, forest department and Thane Municipal Corporation had been surveying the area. On June 22, passengers' associations had met Ravindra Goyal, divisional railway manager (Mumbai), Central Railway, to discuss the matter and put forward a request to expedite the demolition process.

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In fact, on June 25, severe water logging had taken place at both Thane and Kalwa railway stations, the main reason behind which were the slums. This led to suspension of train services for over 150 minutes.

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There are more than 100 slums on the Parsik hill that have weakened one of the oldest rail tunnels of Asia, built in 1873. Last monsoon, a portion of the retaining wall that prevents the debris and garbage from falling on the tracks collapsed, leading to disruption of train services on the main line.