Bulldozing has resumed on the Raman Reti Road

Road widening creates turmoil in Vrindavan

(based on Amar Ujala article, May 22, 2010)

Bulldozers were at work again in Vrindavan yesterday in the Vidyamandir market area, tearing down all buildings that encroach on designated municipal property.

Under the greater development scheme of Vrindavan, in order to permit road widening on the Raman Reti Road, all buildings that stand in the way are being destroyed. This work resumed on Friday. The municipal authority’s campaign began in Raman Reti and has now reached the Hari Nikunj intersection.

The campaign was led by City Magistrate Kumar Singh and C.O. Ashutosh Dvivedi.

Accompanied by police and PAC, bulldozing began from the Vidyamandir Market at about 9 a.m. In the midst of a heavy police presence, encroaching portions of many buildings--Shorawala, the water fountain at Balaji Ashram , Fogla Ashram, Hanuman Tekari, Shyama Bai School, Vrinda Foods, Sadhu Bela, Yamuna Dham, Neha Nikunja and many other pakka buildings--were torn down using JCB machinery.

Afterwards, the PWD and Municipal authorities came out to survey the road between the Hari Nikunj and Vidya Pith intersections.

As the bulldozers advanced, owners of the affected businesses and other buildings expressed their distress.

Many ashrams of holy men, poor people’s homes and shops were knocked down. On the other hand, there was an angry display that the homes of rich and influential people were spared.

Other than this, it should be noted that in the course of this campaign, Braj Bihari Colony, Iskcon and several other institutions that were affected, have gotten a stay order from the court.

Political parties have appealed for compensation for those affected by the campaign, as this is a matter of the livelihoods of many.