Encroachment threatens prime railway land near Bandra

An 11-acre plot near Bandra railway station in Mumbai is facing significant encroachment. This land is jointly owned by Western Railways (WR) and the Rail Land Development Authority (RLDA). Slum tenements, as well as garbage and debris, have taken over the area. Railway officials state there is no immediate plan to sell the land, which was valued at over ₹6,000 crore a decade ago. However, they plan to remove the encroachments for future rail expansion projects. The plot is divided into two parts by a wide nullah and a water pipeline. One half of the land, owned by WR, contains mangroves and has become overgrown with weeds. The other half, owned by RLDA, is largely barren and has become a dumping ground for garbage. Officials noted that illegal dumping occurred from the nearby Western Express Highway, where an entrance gate remains partially open. Around 15 years ago, the railways used old documents to prove their ownership. The plot was given to the Bombay, Baroda & Central India Railway for a minimal amount. Although plans were once discussed for leasing the land, those did not come to fruition. Despite a lack of current commercial plans for the land, WR sources emphasized its importance for future projects. Rajiv Singhal, a member of the Zonal Railway Users Consultative Committee, criticized the railways for not adequately managing the land and allowing encroachments. He suggested that the railways should either be more vigilant or consider monetizing the plot.