Following strict directives from the Rajasthan High Court, the Jaipur Development Authority has launched a major enforcement operation targeting structures falling within the road boundaries along one of the city's busiest corridors stretching from Gujjar Ki Thadi to Sodala. On Sunday morning, the enforcement squad of the development authority arrived at the location accompanied by a heavy police deployment. The team initiated demarcation work and immediately began handing over eviction and demolition notices to local business owners and property holders. The sudden and aggressive action triggered immediate panic and anger among local traders and residents.
Traders Take to Streets and Block Roads
As soon as the notices were served, agitated traders and local citizens flooded the streets to register their strong protest against the administration. The demonstrators raised serious questions regarding the fairness of the JDA action, alleging blatant bias in the ongoing demarcation process. Protesters claimed that under the guise of road widening, properties on one side are being heavily targeted and acquired while individuals on the opposite side are being shown undue leniency. Fuelled by anger, the crowd blocked the main thoroughfare and raised vociferous slogans against the development authority administration.
MLA Gopal Sharma Faces Severe Backlash
Upon receiving information about the escalating protests and traffic gridlock, Civil Lines area MLA Gopal Sharma rushed to the spot to take stock of the situation. He attempted to engage with the furious traders and residents, urging them to calm down and trying to mediate a peaceful resolution. However, terrified and enraged by the imminent threat of losing their shops and homes, the public refused to listen to the legislator. Instead, the crowd turned their frustration toward him, directing heavy resentment and hostility his way. Faced with intense opposition and mounting pressure, MLA Gopal Sharma was ultimately forced to leave the venue empty-handed without achieving any breakthrough.
Congress Leader Pratap Singh Khachariyawas Intervenes
Shortly after the departure of the local MLA, senior Congress leader and former Civil Lines legislator Pratap Singh Khachariyawas visited the affected site to assess the ground reality. He interacted directly with the distressed merchants to listen to their grievances and hardships. Pratap Singh Khachariyawas strongly condemned the JDA drive, labeling the punitive action as entirely unjust. He asserted that destroying livelihoods and businesses overnight without providing any prior rehabilitation framework is completely unacceptable.
Citing Past Government Precedents and Demanding Rehabilitation
Invoking the track record of the previous Congress administration, the former minister explained that whenever public construction projects required the removal of structures during their tenure, affected traders were always provided adequate compensation. He cited examples such as the land acquisition and shop removals during the Jaipur Metro construction, as well as the Jhotwara elevated road and road widening projects, where the administration consistently prioritized relief and rehabilitation for those affected. Khachariyawas firmly demanded that the authorities must formulate a concrete rehabilitation plan for the traders before executing any forced evictions or demolition drives.
