The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) on Sunday carried out a large-scale demolition drive in Amar Nagar and Khindipada, removing around 150 unauthorised residential and commercial structures that were obstructing the alignment of the Goregaon-Mulund Link Road (GMLR) project.
The operation was undertaken by the encroachment removal team of the civic body’s T Ward as part of efforts to facilitate the timely execution of one of Mumbai’s key east-west connectivity projects.
The 12.20-kilometre Goregaon-Mulund Link Road is designed to improve travel between the city’s eastern and western suburbs. The project will be developed in four phases and will comprise roads, underground tunnels and flyovers aimed at easing congestion and reducing travel time across Mumbai.
According to civic officials, a total of 384 structures in Amar Nagar and Khindipada were identified as affecting the project corridor. During the latest drive, approximately 150 illegal constructions were demolished, while the remaining 234 structures are expected to be cleared in the next phase of the operation scheduled for next week.
The demolition was conducted under the supervision of the Deputy Commissioner of Zone 6 and the Assistant Commissioner of T Ward. Around 10 municipal engineers and 100 civic workers were deployed for the exercise.
To carry out the operation, the BMC utilised two poclain machines, four JCB excavators and ten dumpers. Security arrangements were also put in place, with nearly 50 police personnel deployed under the supervision of Mulund Senior Police Inspector Ajay Joshi to maintain law and order.
Officials said removing encroachments is critical to ensuring the smooth progress of the GMLR project. Under Phase 3, excavation of underground tunnels using tunnel boring machines is expected to commence in June 2026.
Before tunnel construction begins, residents from the affected areas in Amar Nagar will be shifted to a newly developed housing complex in Kanjurmarg West. The BMC stated that the rehabilitation programme aims to provide secure housing along with essential civic amenities, including internal roads, open spaces and community facilities, ensuring a smooth transition for relocated families.
Source: Mid-day
