13,000 slum dwellers near railway tracks get 7-day eviction notice in Mumbai

A slum near the railway tracks between Malad and Kandivli stations. File pic

The railways in Mumbai, starting Wednesday, slapped eviction notices on thousands of slum dwellers near railway tracks, following directives by the Indian Railways to act in the matter after the Supreme Court expressed disappointment over railway inaction. Calling the move shocking and unfair, politicians led by state Housing Minister Jitendra Awhad have opposed the move.

A note by Railway Board member (infrastructure) Sanjeev Mittal stated, "On December 17, 2021, the Supreme Court pointed out that Estate Officers are not taking action in right earnest at the earliest opportunity. Railway Police Force services can be utilised to safeguard the railway property, wherever it is situated. Railways should initiate civil/criminal action against the unauthorised occupants on the railway property immediately, it is brought to the notice of the concerned officials of the railways. Further, railways must initiate appropriate action against the officials of the establishments concerned for allowing and tolerating encroachment and for not taking corrective action of removal of encroachments. The status report of the action taken by the Railway to be furnished to this court before the next date (January 28, 2022)."

Slums near railway tracks between Malad and Kandivli stations. File pic

Central Railway Mumbai division database has a record of 37.29 hectares of land encroached with 13,839 encroaches, WR did not share any data immediately. Local politicians led by Maharashtra Housing Minister Jitendra Ahwad protested the notices. "It is shocking to see Central Railway giving notices to premises/residents residing near the rail track to vacate within seven days who are staying there for 70 years. Where is the alternative arrangement? Nobody can throw them on the road. We will not allow this to happen," he said.

Thane Member of Parliament Dr Shrikant Shinde said it was unfair to ask residents who have been staying there for over 30 to 40 years and has shot off a letter to the Minister of State for Railways Raosaheb Danve. "It will be unfair to leave them without rehabilitation and a committee, including the state government, the district collector and local corporation along with the railways should be set up to look into the issue," he said. Replying to Awhad on his complaint on social media, a senior divisional railway engineer said, "Railway land has been encroached at several locations and hence vacation notices have been served as per provisions laid down in The Railways Act, 1989."

37.29
Hectares of land encroached upon