Western Railway launches anti-encroachment drive near Bandra station

The Western Railway (WR) in association with local civic body has launched a drive to remove 'unsafe and dangerous structures' and encroachments near the suburban Bandra railway station in Mumbai

Bandra station 

The Western Railway (WR) in association with local civic body has launched a drive to remove 'unsafe and dangerous structures' and encroachments near the suburban Bandra railway station in Mumbai.

The move comes in the wake of a building collapse which claimed six lives in Bandra on October 13. The structure was constructed in violation of rules. The drive, launched from October 15, went smoothly in the initial stage. However, yesterday, some locals and a few elected representatives protested while the structures were being removed at Behrampada.

"To ensure safety of the residents, WR on behalf of Municipal Corporation of Greater Mumbai too, has requested all local residents to co-operate while the unsafe and illegal structures are removed in the area," a senior WR official told PTI today.

As per the official, over three hectare railway land in Bandra East has been encroached wherein over 3,500 people are staying illegally. The WR would carry out the drive till all the encroachments are removed, he said. "It has been decided that this special drive will take place until all the dangerous and unsafe structures and encroachments in this area are demolished," he said.

On October 13, at least six minors, including three toddlers, were killed and five others injured when a five-storey building, constructed in violation of rules, collapsed in suburban Bandra, Fire Brigade had said. The illegal structure stood on a railway land along Anant Kanekar Marg, near National School, in Behrampada area of Bandra East.

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