What Bandra’s Garib Nagar demolition means for you!

The razing of Garib Nagar is initiated on Tuesday. Western Railway plans to fence and secure the area at the end of the five-day demolition period. PIC/SAYYED SAMEER ABEDI

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 moment the demolition drive is complete, we shall secure the entire land and begin our passenger amenities as well as capacity augmentation project works. The idea is to convert the place into an integrated station complex, build related infra and shift the maintenance facilities," WR Chief Public Relations Officer Vineet Abhishek said, adding that the court directives are very clear about vacating and securing the land.

Garib Nagar residents look on as their homes and establishments are demolished on Tuesday. PICS/SAYYED SAMEER ABEDI

"At present, 22 mail/express trains originate and terminate at Bandra Terminus. These will be increased by 50 per cent over the coming years. Overall, there is a plan to add 50 new originating express trains from the Mumbai region of WR," he added. WR's major safety-driven encroachment removal operation at Garib Nagar was conducted after due legal process extending over several years.

Garib Nagar residents look on as their homes and establishments are demolished on Tuesday. PICS/SAYYED SAMEER ABEDI

Western Railway says...

The matter is not sudden or arbitrary. Proceedings under the Public Premises Act were initiated before 2017, and eviction orders were passed on November 27, 2017.

The issue has undergone extensive judicial scrutiny over nearly nine years, including proceedings before the Bombay High Court and Supreme Court.

Police personnel maintain law and order amid the massive anti-encroachment drive. PICS/SAYYED SAMEER ABEDI

The latest orders of the Bombay High Court dated April 29, subsequently upheld in further proceedings as well as before the Supreme Court, have permitted the removal of unauthorised encroachments, while protecting identified eligible structures.

WR is fully complying with judicial directions. Structures identified for protection through the joint survey process are not being disturbed.

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.

The operation is being carried out by the civil administration, police, and railway security agencies to ensure maintenance of law and order, and humane execution of the drive.

22
No of mail trains that originate/terminate at Bandra Terminus