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.

Mumbai: Mayor Ritu Tawde faced an embarrassing situation on Tuesday morning after a Brihanmumbai Electric Supply and Transport (BEST) bus carrying her reportedly broke down during an official inspection tour, delaying the scheduled civic visit and once again raising concerns over the condition of Mumbai’s public transport fleet.

According to reports, Tawde was travelling as part of a pre-monsoon inspection and review tour organised by the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation when the BEST bus developed a technical snag midway through the journey.

The unexpected breakdown forced civic officials, staff members and accompanying personnel to halt the tour temporarily before alternate arrangements were made to continue the inspection. A video shared by media portal Jai Maharashtra showed BEST and civic officials pushing the vehicle after it broke down midway.

BEST officials and technical teams had rushed to the spot after the bus stopped functioning. The vehicle was reportedly repaired within around 20 minutes, after which the journey resumed. No injuries or safety concerns were reported, though the incident caused disruption during the high-profile civic visit.

The episode has once again brought attention to the operational challenges faced by BEST, which has been under scrutiny in recent months over its ageing fleet, maintenance standards, delays and frequent breakdown complaints from commuters.

Meanwhile, the incident occurred on the same day the Mayor chose to travel by Mumbai’s suburban railway network as part of a symbolic public transport outreach linked to fuel-saving efforts and monsoon preparedness inspections.

Earlier in the day, Tawde travelled from Ghatkopar to Dadar in an AC local train while heading for inspections of key stormwater pumping stations, including Britannia, Lovegrove and Cleveland, which play a critical role in preventing flooding during Mumbai’s monsoon season.

Videos of the Mayor’s train journey later went viral on social media. In the clips, Tawde can be seen standing in a queue at Ghatkopar station, boarding the AC local without VIP protocol and initially travelling while standing before a fellow passenger offered her a seat.

The Mayor was also seen interacting with commuters during the journey and travelling with minimal security presence, which did not appear to disrupt fellow passengers during rush hour.