The Western Railway (WR) authorities has began its biggest demolition drive in Mumbai's Bandra East on Tuesday, May 19. The demolition activity will be carried out for continues 5 days to remove unauthorised jhuggis near the railway tracks in Garib Nagar.
This comes days after the Bombay High Court order, which has allowed WR to clear encroachment land owned by Indian Railways. As per the court verdict on May 16, railway authorities can conduct a demolition drive. However, it also informed that the rights of slum dwellers who were found eligible in the 2021 surveys must be protected.
Also Read | Mumbai Mayor Ritu Tawde Takes Local Train From Ghatkopar To Reach Dadar (Watch Video).
The bulldozer action is being taken to clear illegal structures on railway land. Heavy police were deployed near the Bandra station east ahead of the demolition process.
BJP leader Kirit Somaiya thanked the Railways and the police for the demolition of encroachments at Bandra Terminus. In a post on X said, "Thanks Railways & Police for Demolition of BANGLADESHI encroachments at Bandra Terminus. I visited the demolition today morning."
A resident of Garib Nagar said, "we are living her since 1981 in this place (Garib Nagar), our children born and bought up here." "We were safe only because we voted for Sunil Dutt," he added.
Another resident alleged that they have not been served a demolition notice. He said they all have legal documents of their notices and survey slip too.
Another Garib Nagar resident said, "Politicians need us only when they want votes. Don't dare come to us now."