Mumbai: BMC bulldozes slums near Bandra station

A bulldozer razing illegal structures as locals look on. Pic/Devanshi Doshi

The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) carried out a long-pending exercise by clearing out a pathway for auto-rickshaws outside Bandra East railway station on Wednesday morning. The structures were narrowing the pathway, making it difficult for vehicles to pass.

The structures that were bulldozed were relatively new, erected only two to three months ago. Residents complained that at times the BMC lays claim to the land which at other times is claimed by Railway authorities, but it is only the people staying there who suffer. Meanwhile, a local said residents had been promised 175 accommodations to make them move, but only 35 were provided. Sandeep Kadam, a regular commuter, said that the action was necessary and the BMC should have taken it much earlier. "The patch is uneven and the civic body must also construct a proper road here," he said.

The civic body acts against encroachments every now and then. A few weeks ago, the BMC cleared a site near the Indian Oil building, close to the demolished skywalk. A few years ago, a huge fire broke out after the civic body undertook a demolition drive in the area, affecting train services on the Harbour Line. Civic officials didn't respond to calls and messages regarding the action taken on Wednesday.