Mumbai: Western Railway (WR) on Thursday cleared 43 unauthorised structures along the tracks between Borivli and Dahisar stations as part of a larger anti-encroachment drive targeting 80 settlements in the area.
The demolition was carried out amid tight security, with the deployment of 110 personnel, including 33 from the Railway Protection Force (RPF), 70 from the govt Railway Police (GRP), and 7 officers and constables from Mumbai Police. Senior officials and railway engineers were present on-site to supervise the action.

A WR official said, “We drew up a plan to clear 80 encroachments along the tracks in Borivli (East). In the first phase, 43 illegal structures were removed without resistance.” He added that the drive was conducted peacefully due to the strong police presence and meticulous planning. During the operation, two truckloads of material—including iron sheets and bamboo poles—were confiscated and shifted to a storage facility. Railway land along the Mumbai suburban corridor has been increasingly encroached upon, creating hurdles for upcoming infrastructure projects. Officials said the unauthorised settlements not only pose security concerns but also obstruct planned development works.
The latest demolition drive is part of a renewed push by WR to reclaim its land, especially in zones earmarked for project work or where track access is crucial for maintenance and safety. Officials indicated that the second phase of the drive to clear the remaining 37 encroachments will be undertaken soon. The Borivli-Virar 5th and 6th railway line project aims to add two new parallel tracks to the existing Western line, improving train frequency, reducing congestion, and enhancing connectivity for commuters.