Residents march in black to Vidhan Sabha, continue protest against Mohkampur-Ajabpur elevated road

PIONEER EDGE NEWS SERVICE/Dehradun

Residents opposing the proposed Mohkampur-Ajabpur elevated road continued their protest for the 27th day on Monday, wearing black clothes and taking out a protest march from Defence Colony to the Vidhan Sabha. The peaceful demonstration was organised under the banner of the Mohkampur-Ajabpur Elevated Road Sangharsh Samiti, with a large number of local residents, including women, youth and senior citizens, participating in it. 

The protesters demanded cancellation of the proposed project, expressing concern over its possible impact on residential houses, colonies, the environment and the future of local residents. The committee demanded an impartial assessment of the project’s possible impact and urged the government to consider the objections, suggestions and interests of affected residents before taking any decision. It also called for transparent dialogue with local residents.
A resident participating in the protest 

Subhash Verma said that around 100-150 houses in their area could be affected by the proposed alignment. However, he said that the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) had claimed that only around 50-60 houses would come under the project. 

“We have also invited NHAI officials to visit the area and inspect the houses themselves. Only after conducting a proper survey will they understand how many houses are actually going to be affected,” Verma said. He alleged that NHAI officials had earlier visited the area and carried out marking of houses, but residents forced them to leave and did not allow them to continue the exercise. He added that residents would not allow any demolition or entry into their locality for the project.
Verma said that residents had approached several authorities, including the chief minister Pushkar Singh Dhami, who had reportedly told them that the project had been put on hold. However, the protesters are demanding written confirmation of its cancellation. 

“We are not against development, but development should not come at the cost of people’s homes and future. We will not end the protest till we receive a written letter confirming that the project has been cancelled,” he said. The committee stated that the movement would continue peacefully and democratically till their demands were addressed. The proposed 12.7-km elevated road has faced opposition from residents of several localities, including Roop Nagar, Jogiwala, Badripur, Pujawala and Defence Colony, over fears of displacement and demolition of houses.