Mumbai: A massive 5-day demolition drive has started at Garib Nagar in Bandra on Tuesday, May 19, days after the Bombay High Court allowed Western Railway (WR) to remove unauthorised structures in the area. The demolition drive will be carried out for five days, i.e., from May 19 to May 23. This drive is being carried out in coordination with the civic administration, police officials, and railway security agencies to ensure that law and order are maintained.
The drive came after the Bombay HC, in its May 5 order, permitted WR to continue the demolition drive. However, it also said that the rights of slum dwellers who were found eligible in the 2021 surveys must be protected.
The action is being carried out to clear railway land occupied by illegal structures. Heavy police deployment has been made, and security has been tightened in the area during the demolition process.
400 Personnel Deployed For Massive Drive
According to a Mid-Day report, around 400 personnel, including Mumbai Police, RPF, and GRP officers, have been deployed for the operation. Fire brigade teams, ambulances, and barricades have also been arranged. Security officials are on alert to avoid any disturbance during the drive.
BJP leader Kirit Somaiya, who is present at the site, also thanked the Railways and the police for the demolition of 'Bangladeshi' encroachments at Bandra Terminus.
Earlier, on the demolition drive, a petition was also filed by the Garib Nagar Rahiwasi Welfare Sangh Society. The petition alleged that despite an earlier interim order dated March 18, restraining the Railways from demolishing certain structures listed in the plea, several homes belonging to eligible Project Affected Persons (PAPs) were demolished. The plea further stated that the demolitions caused severe hardship, mental distress, and displacement to families who had already been declared eligible for rehabilitation, thereby violating their fundamental rights under Articles 14, 19, and 21 of the Constitution.
But, on May 5, the Bombay HC allowed WR to proceed with its demolition drive against unauthorised structures. However, the court emphasised that occupants who were found eligible during the surveys conducted on August 10 and 11, 2021, must be protected in accordance with existing legal provisions. Advocate Aayush Kedia, appearing for the Railways, stated that PAPs would be rehabilitated by the MMRDA under the Mumbai One project, which includes the development of Line 6 of the Western Railway.
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