The residensts stayed in those structure for nearly four decades.

MUMBAI: Central Railway (CR) demolished around 30 structures outside the Parel(east) station. Around 200 people, who have been staying here for nearly four decades (since 1978), were rendered homeless due to the demolition carried out on Tuesday.

The action is a result of Elphinstone Road stampede and railways have decided to clear approaches of encroachment and hawkers.

One of the residents, Sajeev Anand, said, "We had power connections from BEST, water connection from the BMC , ration cards as well as Aadhaar cards. We should have been given alternate accommodation by Railway's before carrying out the demolitions."

Among the resident affected, was 100-year old Hirabai Shewale, who has shifted to her relatives home to stay overnight. Residents said that a survey was done under Mumbai Urban Transport Project (MUTP) in 2,000 and they were assured protection till alternate accommodations arrangements are made.

A notice was served to the residents on October 4 with a warning that they should vacate the structures by October 12 but the demolition was postponed till after Diwali.

Anand said, "We had approached the MMRDA, who said that they will give us alternate accommodation but a letter has to be issued by MRVC. However, demolition was done without waiting for MRVC 's correspondence."

CR's chief public relations officer Sunil Udasi said, "A total of 33 illegal encroachments were removed with the help from the BMC and city police." He defended the demolition of four-decade-old structures on the grounds that these did not have any legal protection.

