Residents Hold Torchlight March Against Illegal Constructions in Bhopal

Residents Protest Against Illegal Constructions in Bhopal

Citizens in Bhopal have raised their voices against the growing illegal constructions, encroachments, and commercial use of residential plots surrounding residential colonies. In response to a call from the Joint Residents' Struggle Committee Bhopal, hundreds gathered on Saturday evening at Mahavir Dwar in Arera Colony.

They organized a 'Torchlight March,' covering approximately 2 kilometers to Vandematram Chowk, carrying torches to symbolize their message of protecting residential areas and safeguarding their fundamental rights. The march saw a significant turnout, including children, the elderly, women, and youth.

Residents Express Outrage Over Inaction

Citizens expressed deep anger that despite clear orders from the Supreme Court, the municipal corporation has failed to take action against these illegal constructions. Residents questioned the purpose of conducting fresh surveys when a previous survey had already identified thousands of illegal constructions, a fact reported to the court.

They alleged that this could be an attempt to protect influential land mafias. The residents also accused authorities of obstructing action by citing the Master Plan. They pointed out that the 2005 Master Plan had allocated sufficient space for commercial activities around Arera Colony.

Concerns Over Vacant Commercial Buildings

Despite this, commercial buildings like Metro Plaza, Mansarovar Complex, Metro Walk, and the newly built Phule Bhawan have been constructed around Arera Colony by the municipal corporation, BDA, and Housing Board. Many of these buildings now stand vacant, housing shops belonging to local traders that are either rented out or closed, resulting in revenue loss for the government.

The committee suggested initiating a process to relocate these illegal shops into the vacant commercial buildings. They also proposed the development of a well-organized commercial market on several acres of vacant land in TT Nagar, acquired ten years ago in the name of the Smart City project.

Call for Awareness and Future Protection

The Joint Residents' Struggle Committee declared the torchlight march not just a protest, but a demonstration of the awareness among Bhopal's citizens and their resolve to protect the city's future. They stated that it is the administration's responsibility to protect residential areas from unchecked commercial activities and illegal constructions, and citizens will no longer remain silent on this issue.

Representatives from over 50 residential colonies in Bhopal united in the march, demanding the removal of illegal shops. They warned that if the Supreme Court's order is not complied with, they will be compelled to file a contempt petition in court.

Demand for Non-Discriminatory Action

The committee urged the administration and municipal corporation to take effective and non-discriminatory action against illegal constructions, encroachments, and misuse of land in residential areas, preserving the original character of these colonies.

This movement, initiated by Arera Colony residents, is gaining support from other residential committees. Currently, Gautam Nagar, Vikas Kunj, Kolar Road, Nehru Nagar, Priyadarshini, Rohit Nagar, Rachna Nagar, Bawadia, Saket Nagar, BHEL, Kotra, Lalghati, Shakti Nagar, Shahpura, Gulmohar (G1, G2, G3), D.K. Cottage, Green City Society, and Ram Sharan Society have come together to form the Joint Residents' Struggle Committee Bhopal.

Future Strategy and Demands

Key members of the committee include former IAS officer Kavindra Kiavat, Purnendu Shukla, Subhash Pandey, Gautam Nagar President Mohan Kharpate, Somkant Umalkar, Prayas Institute President Aparna Vashisht, Shahpura Committee President Shubhra Goyal, Neeraj Gulati, Kamal Rathi, petitioner Vivek Tripathi, Lavnish Bhati, Pradyumn Sharma, Harish Bhavanani, Shekhar Maheshwari, Naveen Chaube, Pankaj Asthana, Ram Ku Singh, Rajeev Jha, Jyotsaroop Singh, Jayendra Vijay, K.S. Sharma, Lalit Yadav, Ruchika Sachdeva, Tarun Chauhan, N.K. Rajak, Vijendra Rathore, Yogesh Sarathe, and Prakash Chouksey. Further strategies will be developed under their leadership.

Citizens also demanded an immediate halt to construction on residential plots. They pledged that this campaign will not be limited to a single day. If necessary, citizens from other residential areas of Bhopal will be mobilized to broaden the 'Save Residential Areas Campaign'.

The committee stated, “Today we have lit a torch; now the administration must light the lamp of action to end the darkness of illegality.”