Video: 400 illegal shanties razed to expand Mumbai's Bandra terminus, locals protest

The Western Railway on Tuesday launched a large-scale demolition drive in Mumbai’s Garib Nagar, removing around 400 unauthorised hutments near Bandra railway station following a court directive. The operation, backed by heavy deployment of Mumbai Police and railway police, will continue for four days.

Authorities said 100 eligible residents identified in surveys conducted in August 2021 have been rehabilitated and their interests protected. The cleared land will support expansion of Bandra Terminus and enable 50 new originating trains from Mumbai. The project also includes linking the suburban station to the terminus and separating suburban rail traffic. Officials said the move will ease congestion around the station and improve commuter access.

The demolition drive sparked a protest by the locals who gathered to disrupt the proceedings. However, the heavy police deployment acted swiftly and controlled the crowd in time.