Mumbai: As the massive demolition drive at Garib Nagar in Bandra entered its first day on Tuesday, Western Railway Chief Public Relations Officer Vineet Abhishek defended the action, stating that the operation was necessary for railway safety, critical infrastructure expansion and the larger development of Mumbai.

Speaking to MEDIA about the ongoing demolition drive, Abhishek said the Bombay High Court had issued “very clear and specific instructions” directing Western Railway to remove illegal encroachments from the railway land.

“The judgment says that Western Railways has to immediately clear all illegal structures here. We have to spare 100 hutments. The remaining hutments, which are approximately 500, have to be cleared immediately,” he said.

Abhishek further stated that over 1,000 officials had been deployed for the operation and that the authorities expect to clear and sanitise the area within the next four months.

“Such a handful of illegal encroachments cannot hold the entire Mumbai city hostage,” he said, while emphasising that the action was linked to railway safety and future infrastructure development.

The demolition drive at Garib Nagar began after the Bombay High Court, in its May 5 order, allowed Western Railway to continue the removal of structures built on railway land. However, the court also directed that occupants found eligible during the surveys conducted on August 10 and 11, 2021, must be protected in accordance with existing legal provisions.

According to officials, the drive is being carried out under heavy security deployment. Reports stated that personnel from the Mumbai Police, Railway Protection Force (RPF) and Government Railway Police (GRP) have been stationed in the area to maintain law and order during the operation.

Earlier, the Garib Nagar Rahiwasi Welfare Sangh Society had approached the court alleging that despite an earlier interim order restraining demolition of certain structures, homes belonging to eligible Project Affected Persons (PAPs) had allegedly been razed. The petition claimed the action caused displacement and hardship to families already declared eligible for rehabilitation.

During the hearing, advocate Aayush media, representing the Railways, informed the court that eligible PAPs would be rehabilitated by Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority under the Mumbai One project, which includes the development of Line 6 infrastructure works linked to the railway network.

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.

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.

Mumbai: Residents of Mumbai are facing another increase in fuel prices after oil marketing companies on Tuesday raised petrol and diesel rates for the second time within a week amid rising global crude oil prices linked to the ongoing Iran conflict. With the latest revision, petrol prices in Mumbai have climbed by 91 paise to Rs 107.59 per litre, while diesel has become costlier by 94 paise and is now retailing at Rs 94.08 per litre.

The latest increase comes just three days after fuel prices were raised by Rs 3 per litre on Friday, majorly increasing transportation and commuting costs for Mumbaikars already dealing with inflationary pressure. The fresh hike is largely driven by the sharp surge in international crude oil prices due to tensions in West Asia, particularly disruptions linked to the conflict involving Iran.

According to data released by the Petroleum Planning and Analysis Cell under the Petroleum Ministry, the average price of India’s crude oil basket has jumped from USD 69.01 per barrel in February 2026 to USD 110.73 per barrel as of May 15, an increase of over 60 per cent in less than three months.

The situation has been worsened by disruptions in cargo movement through the Strait of Hormuz, through which a major share of India’s crude oil imports traditionally passes. India imports more than 85 per cent of its crude oil requirements, making domestic fuel prices highly sensitive to global market fluctuations.

Mumbai, being one of the country’s largest metropolitan and commercial hubs, is likely to feel the impact more sharply due to its heavy dependence on road transport, logistics and daily commuting.

Taxi operators, app-based cab drivers and transporters have already started expressing concern over the rising operational costs. The repeated hikes are also expected to affect prices of essential goods and services, as transportation expenses rise across the supply chain.

Another factor contributing to the price rise is the weakening of the Indian rupee against the US dollar. With the rupee reportedly touching around 96 against the dollar, oil imports have become more expensive for Indian refiners and oil companies.

Despite the earlier Rs 3 increase, oil marketing companies were reportedly still facing losses after maintaining older fuel rates for nearly 10 weeks amid continuously rising global crude prices. It is also speculated that if geopolitical tensions in West Asia continue or escalate further, Mumbai and other major Indian cities could witness additional fuel price increases in the coming weeks.