Archive · 21 Jul 2026
Western Railway to Clear 9,500 Encroachments
The Western Railway in Mumbai has found about 9,500 illegal buildings on their land along the busy Churchgate–Virar train route.
They have already removed 500 of these buildings in a big cleanup at Garib Nagar.
The railway plans to remove the rest slowly and carefully.
These illegal buildings are a problem because they make the area unsafe and hard to maintain.
The railway wants to take back this land to make things better for everyone who uses the trains.
Western Railway identified 9,500 illegal encroachments along the Churchgate–Virar corridor.
500 illegal structures were recently removed in Garib Nagar, Bandra.
The drive is part of a larger plan to reclaim railway land for safety and infrastructure.
Encroachments hinder maintenance and pose safety concerns.
Future actions will be coordinated with local authorities and police.
- Who
- Western Railway officials
- What
- Clearing 9,500 illegal encroachments
- When
- Phased manner, recent drive at Garib Nagar
- Where
- Churchgate–Virar suburban corridor
- Why
- To improve safety, maintenance, and infrastructure projects
Railway Administration
Encroachers
Land Usage
Railway Administration
Railway land should be reclaimed for safety and infrastructure projects.
Encroachers
Encroachers may argue for the need for housing and livelihood.
- Total Encroachments
- 9,500
- Encroachments Cleared
- 500
- Location of Recent Drive
- Bandra's Garib Nagar
- Corridor
- Churchgate–Virar
- Passenger Traffic
- Millions daily