Railways reclaim 15,000 sq m of land for long-stalled projects

Mumbai’s Anti-Encroachment Campaign

Railways reclaim 15 000 sq m – Across the Mumbai Metropolitan Region, railway authorities have been conducting land recovery operations to advance stalled infrastructure initiatives. These efforts, which include clearing encroachments in areas like Bandra and Sion, aim to free up space for new rail projects. While the recent action in Bandra East drew attention, it is part of a broader initiative spanning multiple locations over the past year.

Key Projects

Since December 2023, the Central Railway and Western Railway have reclaimed nearly 15,000 square metres of land—equivalent to two football fields—across the MMR. This area, occupied illegally for decades, is critical for expanding suburban rail capacity and modernizing terminus facilities. The reclaimed plots are being used to build platforms, stabling lines, and other rail infrastructure.

Impact on Connectivity

One significant project, the Airoli-Kalwa Elevated Corridor, is expected to enhance travel between Thane and Navi Mumbai. Over the weekend, the Mumbai Rail Vikas Corporation demolished 350 of 786 unauthorized shanties in Bhola Nagar, Thane, to clear the project’s alignment. The ₹476-crore initiative aims to reduce congestion at interchange hubs, improving efficiency for thousands of daily commuters.

“For years, illegal encroachers occupied railway land, which prevented us from planned expansion of the rail network in Mumbai. We are now barricading the land as soon as we clear the debris to prevent re-encroachment,” said a railway official, requesting anonymity.

Challenges and Progress

The Airoli-Kalwa project, sanctioned under MUTP-3 in 2016, has faced delays due to resistance from residents. Siddhesh Desai, vice-president of the Mumbai Rail Pravasi Sangh, noted that local advocates have repeatedly urged authorities to remove encroachments. “Over the last five years, I have written several letters and emails to the rail authorities,” he said.

Currently, the project is 45% complete, with officials stating that finalization of the 36-month timeline depends on the land acquisition and rehabilitation process. Earlier this year, railways also cleared 1,500 sq m of land between Goregaon and Malad, enabling the extension of the Harbour Line beyond Goregaon to Borivali.

Historical Reclamation

In December 2023, Central Railway authorities made progress by removing 400 of 714 illegal huts along the Kurla-Parel-CSMT stretch. This effort revives the long-delayed fifth and sixth railway lines, with the first phase focusing on the Kurla-Parel section. The ongoing construction of the Sion road overbridge is also part of this network enhancement, designed to separate suburban and long-distance trains.

“This project will allow commuters to travel from CSMT to the western suburbs. After taking over the land, we will carry out laying of tracks, platforms and other ancillary works,” said a Western Railway official.

With continued land recovery, railway officials emphasize that the expansion will ease overcrowding and cut travel times for thousands of passengers. The operations highlight the importance of reclaiming space to support Mumbai’s growing transportation needs.