Nearly a month after the large-scale demolition in Bandra East’s Garib Nagar, around 100 families who were declared eligible for rehabilitation are still awaiting alternate housing, raising serious concerns as the monsoon sets in. Despite official clearance processes reportedly moving forward, authorities admit that relocation is unlikely before late July, forcing residents to endure at least part of the rainy season in unsafe and partially destroyed structures.
Between May 19 and May 23, close to 500 of the 600 homes in the area were pulled down to facilitate the construction of the fifth and sixth railway lines and station expansion works. While the project is aimed at improving railway infrastructure, the rehabilitation process for affected families has lagged significantly behind the demolition drive.
Western Railway had already written to the Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA) on June 9, highlighting the urgency of providing temporary and permanent accommodation for displaced residents. Officials further noted that the initial proposal for rehabilitation housing for these families dates back to September 2025, indicating a prolonged administrative delay.
In the aftermath of the demolition, the remaining structures in Garib Nagar present a grim picture. Many homes have been left partially intact, with upper floors removed, staircases abruptly ending mid-air, and roofs severely damaged. Essential utilities, including electricity and water connections, have also been disconnected, leaving families in extremely difficult living conditions surrounded by debris and rubble.
With monsoon rains intensifying, residents face heightened risks of structural collapse and water damage. The situation underscores the widening gap between infrastructure development timelines and rehabilitation planning, as affected families continue to wait for safe and secure housing despite having been deemed eligible for resettlement years ago.
Source: The Indian Express
