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The operation, scheduled to continue until May 23, witnessed a heavy deployment of police and railway security forces as tensions escalated in the densely populated locality amid protests from residents. Bulldozers were seen advancing through narrow lanes as teams from Western Railway, municipal authorities, and security agencies began dismantling structures identified for removal. Multiple videos circulating on social media platform X showed residents gathering near barricaded zones while police personnel formed human barriers to prevent clashes and maintain order.
Officials confirmed that approximately 400 personnel had been deployed in and around Garib Nagar to oversee the demolition drive. Emergency response arrangements, including ambulances, fire brigade units, and additional barricading teams, were also positioned at key points to manage potential crowd escalation or unrest.
The clearance operation follows an April 29 order issued by the Bombay High Court permitting Western Railway to proceed with the removal of unauthorized constructions in the area. However, the court simultaneously directed authorities to safeguard the rights of slum dwellers identified as eligible for rehabilitation under surveys conducted in August 2021.
The demolition is directly linked to Western Railway’s long-pending infrastructure project aimed at expanding the fifth and sixth railway lines between Santacruz and Mumbai Central. Railway officials have stated that the expansion is essential to reduce congestion across Mumbai’s suburban railway network and improve train operations along one of the busiest corridors in the country.
The High Court had earlier observed that encroachments and waste accumulation near railway tracks pose a significant threat to railway infrastructure and commuter safety, reinforcing the urgency of the clearance action. The issue has remained highly contentious over recent months, with residents of Garib Nagar under Sangh Society alleging that despite an interim High Court order dated March 18 restraining demolition of specified structures mentioned in petitions, some homes belonging to eligible Project Affected Persons were still demolished.
The demolition drive has also triggered political reactions. BJP leader Kirit Somaiya criticized opposition parties, stating that the Uddhav Thackeray faction of Shiv Sena, along with Rahul Gandhi’s Congress, AIMIM, and the Muslim League, had been associated with what he described as the concepts of “Land Jihad,” “Vote Jihad,” and “Love Jihad,” and added that they had been “taught a lesson.”
As the operation continues over the coming days, security agencies remain on high alert in Bandra East, with authorities closely monitoring the situation to prevent any escalation in the sensitive locality.
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