A massive demolition drive in Mumbai’s Garib Nagar near Bandra station has sparked chaos, outrage and violent clashes as hundreds of shanties are being razed for the Western Railway’s Bandra Terminus expansion project. Authorities say the operation is necessary to increase the station’s operational capacity, but residents claim the drive has turned into a humanitarian crisis. The demolition began after a Bombay High Court order and has already led to the arrest of 19 people following clashes between locals and authorities. Around 500 structures are being cleared as part of the railway redevelopment project.

Mumbai’s Bandra witnessed tense and chaotic scenes after a major anti-encroachment demolition drive by authorities triggered violent protests in Garib Nagar. The operation, carried out on alleged illegal structures built on Western Railway land, quickly escalated into a major law and order situation as angry residents gathered on the streets, blocked roads and clashed with police personnel. Videos from the spot showed heavy police deployment, barricades near Bandra Court, traffic disruptions towards Bandra railway station and protesters hurling stones during the operation. Authorities reportedly identified around 400 illegal structures for removal as part of the large-scale clearance drive. Police later resorted to mild force to control the crowd after tensions spiraled out of control. WATCH