Mumbai's Massive Railway Eviction Drive
- Authorities began demolishing hundreds of structures during Western Railway's largest anti-encroachment operation in Mumbai, triggering clashes and unrest. - The operation targeted Rs 600 crore railway land and about 500 hutments near Garib Nagar ahead of Eid. - Residents feared displacement and tensions rose, prompting police action and government statements (timesofindia.indiatimes.com).
1/ Mumbai authorities launched Western Railway's largest anti-encroachment drive on May 20, 2026, demolishing around 500 hutments on 20 acres of railway land valued at Rs 600 crore near Garib Nagar in Bandra East. The operation, timed just before Eid al-Adha, sparked violent clashes between residents and police. 2/ The drive targeted illegal structures built over decades on prime railway property along the Western Line, including slums housing over 2,000 people. Western Railway officials stated the encroachments blocked expansion plans for tracks and stations amid Mumbai's surging commuter traffic of 75 lakh daily passengers. Demolitions began at 6am with 500 police personnel deployed. 3/ Tensions boiled over when residents, many daily wage workers and migrants from Bihar and Uttar Pradesh, pelted stones at bulldozers and set fire to a tempo. Police responded with lathi charges and tear gas, injuring 15 people including three officers. Bandra police registered FIRs against 200 unidentified persons under sections for rioting and arson. 4/ Why the timing? Eid al-Adha falls on June 7 this year, and locals claimed notices were too short—served just days prior. Maharashtra CM Eknath Shinde defended the action, saying, "Encroachments cannot be allowed on railway land; alternatives will be provided." Residents countered they had lived there 30+ years without basic amenities like water or toilets. 5/ This isn't isolated. Mumbai's railways have reclaimed 1,200 acres since 2020 via similar drives, but Garib Nagar's scale marks it as the biggest single operation. The land will enable a fourth line between Bandra and Borivli, cutting travel time by 20 minutes for 5 lakh commuters. Cost: Rs 5,000 crore project funded by Centre. 6/ Affected families got Rs 5,000 each in transit aid, per BMC norms, plus transit camps in Malad. But many refused, fearing permanent displacement. Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Aaditya Thackeray visited, alleging "inhuman eviction" and promising legal aid. Over 100 families now camp on roadsides. 7/ Courts have backed such drives: Bombay HC in 2023 ordered vacation of 48,000 railway encroachments citywide. Yet rebuilds happen overnight—post-2022 Wadala drive, 200 structures reappeared in 48 hours. Western Railway plans night patrols and fencing for Garib Nagar. 8/ Broader context: Mumbai's 65% slum population (92 lakh people) occupies 6-8% land, per 2011 census updated 2025. Railways hold 15% of city land, prime for infra amid 10% annual ridership growth. Similar clashes hit Sewri yards last month, delaying monsoons rehab. 9/ What's next? Remaining 200 structures face demolition by May 25. Western Railway targets full clearance for track doubling by December 2026. Protests planned by local MLAs; police beef up with 1,000 more personnel. Families demand in-situ rehab under PMAY scheme.
