Regardless of formal inauguration of the two mega projects—Harmu and Kantatoli flyovers on the Foundation Day by President Ram Nath Kovind, the residents of Harmu and Kantatoli are likely to continue their protest.
The people whose lands are being acquired for the purpose termed the ‘so called development’ of the State Capital by the present government merely a dictatorial attitude and an unplanned approach to develop urban belts.
Considering the State government’s laidback approach, the protesters have now become more firm not to give away their land assets when official formalities of both the projects are on the verge of completion. The upcoming flyover projects that aim to curtail traffic snarl at these major routes is likely to commence from December last week.
The State Government has set December 15 as a deadline for the residents of both Kantatoli and Harmu to submit their objections to the authorities regarding the construction of these flyovers.
However, most of the protesters on Wednesday opined that the initiative of constructing flyovers in densely populated area has been taken in haste and grievances registration process is just a formality.
“We have submitted our pleas to the concerned authorities. However, the decision is simply a political move to gain votes in the name of development. As per our survey, if the construction of flyover begins, it will directly affect 250-300 shop owners who earn their livelihood from it,” said president of Kantatoli Flyover Raiyat and Business Committee, Qaisar Hassan (62).
“Also, 64 land owners will lose their lands. Moreover, out of 64 landlords, 36 here belong to ST/SC categories. Though a notice to leave the lands has been given to all but how
the State Government can acquire their properties as per the law,” added Hassan while citing Article 73 (A) of CNT-SPT Act.
Another resident of Kantatoli who reluctantly has to part away from his ancestral land once the project gets started in full-fledged way, Hiren Patel said, “Around 40,000 people will be directly affected.
There are several measures that can be adopted like complete restriction on auto-rickshaws movement, utilization of leased land, shifting Khadgarha bus stand to ring road etc.”
Patel further added, “It is still confusing as for whom the flyover is being constructed as 65 percent traffic is averted to Dangratoli, 25 percent to Namkom while only 15 percent is diverted towards the straight direction as per the recent survey of the committee.”
Similarly, several residents of Harmu and Kishoreganj said that the project of constructing flyover to streamline traffic from New Market Area stretch to Harmu Chowk is just a myth.
The protesters termed it as a pre-planned conspiracy to snatch away the livelihood of public in the name of beautification project. The protestors under the banner ‘Harmu Road Bachao Sangarsh Samiti’ observed the Foundation Day as the ‘Black Day’.
Recently, Jharkhand Urban Infrastructure Development Company limited (JUIDCO) and the Municipal Corporation have finalized the flyover construction projects. The residents of both the areas, especially the shop owners and landlords whose lands will be acquired had staged protest on November 12 to oppose the State Government’s move.