Mumbai: Two days after Western Railway razed 80 illegal slums in Borivali, shacks are back

The demolition drive, which took place on April 29, in Borivli East

A slum colony comprising over 80 unauthorised shanties in Borivli East on Western Railway (WR) was razed on April 29, paving the way for the laying of new lines between Borivli and Virar. However, when mid-day visited the spot on May 1, people who seemed to lack material could be seen building makeshift homes with cloth and shades on the west side of the tracks. However, WR officials said they would continue to act against encroachers and barricade the premises soon.

The operation

The April 29 demolition drive was part of an initiative by the Mumbai Division and was carried out through a coordinated effort by the Railway Protection Force (RPF), Government Railway Police (GRP) and Mumbai Police, according to WR's Chief Public Relations Officer, Vineet Abhishek.

Demolition work was executed with the assistance of labourers under the supervision of the WR engineering department's senior section engineer (works/land). Materials such as iron sheets and bamboo from two large hutments were recovered and deposited in the departmental godown by the inspector of works.

"Two truckloads of recovered materials like iron sheets and bamboo poles were transported to the railway warehouse. RPF and GRP ensured adequate security, maintaining a peaceful operation. A total of 110 personnel, including officers, constables and home guards, participated in the operation," he added.

Two lines

The laying of additional lines between Borivli and Virar (5th and 6th lines) is being carried out at a cost of R2,184.02 crore, thereby segregating suburban and outstation trains between Virar and Bandra Terminus, which will be a game-changer.

Structures are set up on railway land opposite Rustomjee International School on Jaywant Sawant Road on May 1. Pics/Satej Shinde

The laying of two lines involves a lot of land acquisition and the shifting of existing utilities. As of August 2024, the land-acquisition process has been started by the district collectorate, and Railways is working on shifting utilities required for the project.