By Arun Pratap Singh
Udham Singh Nagar, 22 Apr: The National Highway Authority and District Administration early this morning carried out the demolition of an allegedly illegal Mazaar constructed at Indira Chowk in Rudrapur, district Udham Singh Nagar. The administration has claimed that prior to its demolition, an official notice was issued in accordance with protocol.
Reports indicate that efforts to dismantle the structure had been underway for several days following a survey that identified multiple illegal Mazaars with similar names obstructing the planned widening of the National Highway. It was further observed that similar unauthorised Mazaars were present at several locations in Uttar Pradesh.
Early this morning, the National Highway Authority undertook swift action, removing the structure and commencing road widening work without delay. It may be recalled that the intersection, previously plagued by traffic congestion, is now being expanded into a six-lane road under the approved project. As the first intersection at Uttarakhand’s entry point in Kumaon, it serves as a crucial junction where the Khatima-Panipat and Delhi-Almora highways converge, leading to heavy vehicular movement.
To ensure smooth execution of the demolition exercise, the police administration enforced strict security measures, temporarily switched off the power supply, and proceeded under the illumination of JCB machines. The entire process was completed within half an hour, enabling an uninterrupted start to the highway expansion work.
ADM Pankaj Upadhyay claimed that National Highway engineers had earlier flagged the structure as a hindrance to the widening efforts, necessitating its removal. He affirmed that this development would significantly reduce traffic congestion at the intersection.
It is worth noting that the Dhami government in Uttarakhand has, so far, removed 534 such illegal structures as part of its ongoing administrative initiatives.
PIL filed against demolition of mazaar, hearing today
By Arun Pratap Singh
Nainital, 22 Apr: After hearing a petition challenging the demolition of a Mazaar on the National Highway in Rudrapur earlier this morning, a single bench of the Nainital High Court has directed the petitioner to provide full details of two individuals and the designated land for shifting the structure within 24 hours. The court also instructed the Udham Singh Nagar district administration to prohibit vehicle movement over the site until further orders. The next hearing is scheduled for tomorrow afternoon.
The case was heard by the single bench comprising Justice Rakesh Thapliyal. The petition pertains to the Mazaar of Syed Masoom Shah Miya and Sajjad Miya, located near Indira Chowk in Rudrapur, which was demolished by the administration with the aid of bulldozers early this morning. The demolition was undertaken to facilitate the implementation of the proposed eight-lane highway project. The National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) had issued prior notices to the parties concerned before executing the action.
During the hearing today, the petitioner’s advocate Waqf Allah Tala raised the matter, which was taken up by the bench after lunch. The District Magistrate and Senior Superintendent of Police of Udham Singh Nagar appeared online before the court. The DM informed that the demolished structure was known as Hazrat Masoom Sah Dargah and clarified that the land in question was not classified as Waqf property. He further stated that NHAI had initially issued notice on 10 February and later proceeded with the action after serving another notice. The tomb had been registered as a roadside dargah since 1960, and compensation was granted as per regulations.
The court has directed the petitioner’s advocate to submit complete identification details, including Aadhaar card, photograph, email, and phone numbers of two individuals responsible for relocating the remains. Additionally, an affidavit specifying the designated site for relocation must be provided within the next 24 hours. Meanwhile the authorities are now expected to proceed with further decisions following the upcoming hearing.
