Demolished: JDA narrows down livelihood of 700 families

More than 100 structures adjoining Gopalpura bypass near Tonk Road were demolished by Jaipur Development Authority (JDA) on Wednesday to broaden the road by 160 feet. Nearly, 250 more such structures will be razed over the next few days during the road widening process. These structures, however, had been shops and home for over 700 families that are left devastated.

"It’s grave injustice," said Shankar Chaudhary after two of his shops were demolished. "We had been settled here for decades and now have no place to go," he added.

As for the JDA, these traders and residents had illegally encroached upon the road width. The issue had even reached High Court that decided in JDA’s favour. The due legal notices were thereafter issued by the authority, however, the affected families continued to push their 'hopes' through protest and appeals. It was only recently that the traders realised that evacuation was inevitable. Shankar, president of a local traders association and others had vacated their establishment in a rush after JDA enforcement start building up on Friday late night.

On Wednesday morning, the JDA anti-enforcement squad accompanied with heavy police force deployed over a dozen earth moving machines to demolish the structures while 20 dumpers carried the debris. The traders’ protest contained with police presence.