Sunday, 23 July 2023 | PNS | NAINITAL
Demolition of the enemy property Metropole Hotel started here on Saturday morning. The district administration undertook the demolition amidst heavy police presence a day after the Uttarakhand High Court dismissed a petition by the occupants of the enemy property seeking time to vacate. The demolition was completed by the evening.
The authorities had deployed 750 police personnel and 10 mechanical excavators to demolish the building. More than 200 labourers were also deployed for the demolition. The occupants also cooperated with the authorities which resulted in the demolition being carried out without any disturbance. While the officials monitored all sectors, the police prevented people from outside from entering the area. The police had divided the Metropole area into four zones. The police department remained alert from early in the morning with eight circle officers, 80 sub inspectors, 150 women police personnel along with five companies of the Provincial Armed Constabulary being deployed by the authorities. In order to ensure that the local residents did not face any problem during the demolition, the Health department was also alert. The department had deputed two psychiatrists along with a team of doctors in the area.
It is pertinent to mention here that with the demolition of the illegal construction in the Metropole area, the way for building a new car parking facility has opened in Nainital. District magistrate Vandana Singh said that traffic jam is a major problem in Nainital city. A facility for parking more than 500 cars will be built on the site from where the encroachments were demolished by the authorities on Saturday. This will help prevent traffic jam in the city during the coming tourist season.
