Following the lead given by politicians, traders, activists and vendors, the locals of Bhim Goda area have now hit the road while protesting against the shifting of the bus stand to Transport Nagar near Sarai village from its present location.
On Monday, the local residents took to the streets, demanding revoking of the decision to shift the bus stand.
Ever since the decision was taken by the district administration to relocate the bus stand of Haridwar to Sarai village, several groups have been vociferously protesting against the proposed shift.
The media representative of the Member of lok Sabha Ramesh Pokhariyal Nishank, Ajay Solanki said on Monday that that the present bus stand being shifted from where it now is would adversely affect tourism. "It should rather be expanded," he added.
Residents of Motichur, Bhupatwala gathered on the highway on Monday, demanding the decision to shift be scrapped.
A resident of Haripur Kalan Vijay Mishra said, "Sarai village being located at the other end of the district, the people would have to go a long way to board a bus. I wonder what propelled the administration to take such a decision. What they should do is to expand the existing bus stand."
Congress activists also staged protest against the proposed shifting of the bus stand. They wore black bands and waved black flags in mark of protest.
They organised a meeting on the issue at Shivmurti crossing during which the speakers vented anger against the district administration's decision.
A veteran Congress leader Ambrish Kumar said that during the 1998 Kumbh mela, a resolution had been taken at a meeting chaired by then urban development minister of undivided Uttar Pradesh lalji Tandon that the bus stand would be shifted to Rishikul grounds. "That decision should be executed now," he said. He further alleged that the decision to shift the bus stand had been taken at the behest of an influential minister while making it obvious that he was meaning the state tourism minister Satpal Maharaj. "The decision if implemented would spell disaster for the local business," he said. Former Nagar Palika chairman Satpal Brahmchari said that aside from working on the plan to shift the bus stand, the saffron leaders are intent on selling off Nagar Nigam land.
Notably, following the nod from the Nagar Nigam, the Haridwar- Roorkee Development Authority had taken the final decision on shifting the bus stand on July 27 last year. As per the proposal, a multi -story parking lot would be constructed at an estimated budget of Rs 195.25 crores where spaces would be given to the traders to do business.