05 June,2026 04:17 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondent
Around 384 structures in Amar Nagar and Khindipada had been identified as hindrances to the project. Pic via BMC
The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) on Friday carried out a major demolition drive at Amar Nagar and Khindipada in Mulund, removing 234 unauthorised residential and commercial structures that were obstructing the construction of the ambitious Goregaon-Mulund Link Road (GMLR) project.
The action was undertaken by the encroachment removal squad of the T Ward as part of efforts to expedite work on the 12.20-km-long corridor, which is expected to significantly improve east-west connectivity across Mumbai.
The project includes the construction of roads, underground tunnels, flyovers and other supporting infrastructure, and is being executed in four phases.
According to civic officials, around 384 structures in Amar Nagar and Khindipada had been identified as hindrances to the project. Of these, nearly 150 residential and commercial structures were removed during a demolition drive conducted last week.
The remaining 234 structures were cleared on Friday.
The operation was conducted under the supervision of the Deputy Municipal Commissioner (Zone 6) and led by Assistant Commissioner Yogita Kolhe. A large team comprising 10 municipal engineers, 100 BMC personnel and 150 private workers participated in the drive.
To facilitate the demolition, the civic body deployed two Poclain excavators, four JCB machines and 10 dumpers. Security arrangements were made with the assistance of 50 police personnel from Mulund Police Station, led by Senior Police Inspector Ajay Joshi.
BMC officials said the removal of the encroachments will help accelerate work on the Goregaon-Mulund Link Road, one of Mumbai's key infrastructure projects aimed at easing traffic congestion and reducing travel time between the city's eastern and western suburbs.
The 12.20-km corridor is expected to play a crucial role in enhancing connectivity and reducing pressure on existing road networks once completed.
Western Railway (WR) has drawn up a plan to fence and secure the approximately 5300 sq m of land at Garib Nagar in Bandra East at the end of the five-day demolition period so that there are no further encroachments.
The plans include building an integrated station complex over the coming years in the east for Bandra Terminus station with more platforms, shifting the maintenance facilities, undertaking more capacity augmentation and building more infrastructure.
The action is being undertaken primarily in the railway safety zone adjacent to active railway tracks, where unauthorised habitation poses serious risks to human life and train operations.
This railway area stretch is operationally critical to augment rail capacity. Removal of encroachments is essential for railway safety, operational flexibility, and future infrastructure expansion, including additional train services.
The proposed works are linked to the enhancement of carrying capacity on one of the busiest rail corridors in the country and will facilitate the introduction of additional long-distance train services for passengers across India.
Railway land cannot remain perpetually encroached, be it anywhere, and more so in safety-sensitive operational areas. The railway administration is acting strictly within the framework of law and court directions.
