Mumbai: As part of the Mumbai Monsoon preparations, representatives of the public of Mumbai today (19 May 2026) visited and inspected the Britannia Rainwater Harvesting Centre on Ray Road, Lovegrove Rainwater Harvesting Centre in Worli and Cleveland Rainwater Harvesting Centre. The Minister for Skills, Employment, Entrepreneurship and Innovation and Co-Patron Minister of Mumbai Suburban District, Shri. Mangal Prabhat Lodha, Mayor of Mumbai Ritu Tawde, MLA Mr. Amit Satam and various officials of the Municipal Corporation participated in the visit. Considering the geographical structure of the Mumbai Metropolitan City, the Municipal Corporation has prepared a comprehensive action plan for the speedy and effective drainage of rainwater collected in low-lying areas. This project has been submitted to the central government for approval. Speaking to the media on this occasion, MLA Mr. Amit Sattam said that Mumbai Mayor Ritu Tawde has been continuously reviewing the pre-monsoon works by visiting the work sites for the last fortnight. After inspecting the drainage cleaning and road development works in the Eastern and Western Suburbs as well as the City Division, various officials led by him today (May 19, 2026) inspected various rainwater harvesting centres and got detailed information about the system there and monsoon preparations. Minister for Skill, Employment, Entrepreneurship and Innovation and Co-custodian Minister of Mumbai Suburbs Mangal Prabhat Lodha, Mayor Ritu Tawde, MLA Amit Satam, Leader of the House of the Municipal Corporation Ganesh Khankar, Chairman of the Standing Committee Prabhakar Shinde, Chairman of the Impro Group Prabhakar Shinde, Shiv Sena MLA G M Leo also participated. Scindia Doshi (Sakre), Chairman of the Education Committee Rajeshree Shravadkar, Chairman of the ‘BEST’ Committee Trishna Vishwasrao, Chairman of the Architecture Committee (City) Yamati Jadhav, Chairman of the Architecture Committee (Suburbs) Chairperson Sangeeta Sharma, Public Health Committee Chairperson Mrs. Harish Veman and Chairman BEST Chairman BBS. Makwana, Corporator Rohidas Lokhande, Corporator Ajay Patil, Corporator Bhaskar Shetty and other public representatives participated in the visit. Additional Municipal Commissioner (Projects) Abhijeet Bangras was present on the occasion along with the concerned officers of the Storm Water Drainage Department. Mayor Ritu Tawde said that the important work of releasing the accumulated storm water into the sea during heavy rain and high tide is done through storm water drainage centers. During low tide, the flood control gates are open, at this time the water in the drain naturally goes directly into the sea through gravity. The rainwater collected during high tide is released into the sea with the help of drains. Flood control gates are used to prevent sea water from entering the drain during high tide. Apart from this, this mechanical mesh system is used to stop the waste in the drain. Currently, 6 collection centres are functioning, namely Haji Ali (Mahalakshmi), Arla (Juhu), Lovegrove (Worli), Cleveland (Worli Village), Britannia (Ray Road), Gujrband (Santa Cruz). Mayor Shrimati said that the work of the remaining 2 collection centres, namely Mahol (Chembur) and Mogra (Visakhapatnam), is in progress. Talking to media persons, MLA Mr. Amit Satam said that the officials of the Municipal Corporation are independently and collectively inspecting and monitoring the pre-monsoon works. They are taking information about the various steps taken by the administration. Apart from this, they are also giving necessary instructions. Efforts are being made to remove the water accumulated in the low-lying areas at a fast pace to avoid inconvenience to the Mumbaikars during the monsoon season. Pumping stations provide great relief to the Mumbaikars. Therefore, an inspection was conducted today to see if these pumping stations are functioning properly. In addition, more than 550 pumping sets have been deployed at various locations in the Mumbai Metropolitan Region to pump water. Drainage/river cleaning work is in progress. It is believed that the cleaning work of the drain will be completed within the stipulated time. He said that the administration has been directed to prevent solid waste/floating waste from entering the sea. The Mumbai Municipal Corporation has prepared a comprehensive action plan for fast and effective drainage of rainwater collected in low-lying areas, keeping in mind the geographical structure of the Mumbai metropolis, through the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT, Mumbai). This plan has been submitted to the Central Government for approval. This plan will be implemented with Central funds.

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.