Mumbai: The Thane Municipal Corporation (TMC) has resumed its demolition drive against illegal constructions in the Khan Compound area of Mumbra, Maharashtra. Just days after 17 unauthorised buildings were razed, civic officials have now turned their attention to more illegal structures in the nearby Shil Daighar locality.

This renewed action has once again stirred tension in the area, with hundreds of residents gathering to oppose the demolitions.

Fearing unrest, the Thane Police and the State Reserve Police Force (SRPF) have been stationed at the site. The presence of uniformed personnel and demolition machinery has created a charged atmosphere in the locality.

The action is being carried out under the directives of the Bombay High Court, which ordered the removal of unauthorised constructions built without proper permissions or safety clearances.

The Bombay High Court had earlier directed the Thane Municipal Corporation to take strict action against illegal structures in and around Mumbra. The civic body had previously demolished several such buildings but had paused operations after widespread protests from local residents.

Despite multiple notices and warnings, the unauthorised structures continued to expand, prompting the latest round of demolitions.

Civic officials indicated that the demolition drive will continue in phases until all unauthorised constructions identified in the High Court order are cleared. The Thane Municipal Corporation has also urged citizens to verify property documents before purchasing any new homes.

While authorities maintain that the action is lawful, the human cost of the demolition has once again highlighted the growing tension between development enforcement and urban housing distress in Mumbra.

Mumbai: Two Central Railway engineers were booked in connection with the June 9 incident in Mumbra in Thane district in which four commuters died and nine were injured after falling off two overcrowded local trains, a police official said on Monday.

The incident occurred between Diva and Mumbra railway stations when the trains, one headed to Kasara and the other towards Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus, were passing each other at a sharp curve. Some commuters on the footboard of the coaches fell onto the tracks after their backpacks brushed against each other, as per police.

“A case has been registered against a senior section engineer and section engineer of Central Railway with regards to the incident after a probe by the railway police. The Thane GRP had earlier registered an accidental death case,” the official said.

They have been booked under section 25 (act endangering life or personal safety of others) of Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, he said.

Further probe into the case is underway, the railway police official informed.

Thane: The Thane Traffic Department has issued a new traffic advisory following the commencement of service road merging work by the Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA) between Mullanbaug and Patlipada on the busy Thane–Ghodbunder Road. The work, which began this week, is expected to cause significant congestion during peak hours, prompting authorities to introduce diversions and temporary restrictions to improve traffic flow.

According to the official notice signed by Deputy Commissioner of Police (Traffic), Pankaj Shirsat, the construction activity will require partial road closures in the stretch connecting Mullanbaug and Patlipada. All heavy vehicles, including trucks and goods carriers, will not be permitted to pass through the area during work hours. Instead, they will have to take designated alternate routes as advised by the police.

The alternate routes include diversion of vehicles through Kapurbawdi and Manpada Junction for those travelling towards Ghodbunder, ensuring that smaller passenger vehicles and emergency services face minimal disruption. The advisory will remain in effect until completion of the service road merging work, which is being carried out to ease future traffic flow along the corridor.

The Thane Police’s official X (formerly Twitter) handle also alerted citizens, stating, “Service road merging work by MMRDA between Mullanbaug and Patlipada has started. Traffic congestion is expected during peak hours. Citizens are requested to use alternate routes.”

Citizens have been advised to plan their travel in advance and avoid the route during morning and evening rush hours. The police have assured that adequate personnel will be deployed at key junctions to manage the situation and assist commuters.