Himalaya Harbinger, Rudrapur Bureau.
Rudrapur: As saffron flags adorn the streets in anticipation of Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami’s grand roadshow on March 24, marking the third anniversary of his administration, a contrasting narrative of despair unfolds in Udham SIngh Nagar district headquarters, Rudrapur’s Vishwakarma and Ram Manohar Lohiya markets. While the government celebrates its milestones, including the implementation of the Uniform Civil Code (UCC) and stringent land reforms, the city’s traders and residents grapple with the aftermath of recent demolition drives that have upended their lives.
In March 2023, the heart of Rudrapur, the Ram Manohar Lohiya Market, was abruptly erased from the city’s landscape, its over 120 shops reduced to rubble. This demolition, executed with heavy machinery under strict police supervision and Section 144 enforcement, was part of the beautification efforts for the G20 summit route to Ramnagar. The sudden loss left countless shopkeepers, who had long depended on the market for their livelihoods, in despair, as they were not given a chance to relocate or make alternate arrangements. Even after two years they are passing from pillar to post in a hope of rehabilitation.
Meanwhile, earlier this week on Tuesday, five structures in Dariyanagar were reduced to rubble as the PWD carried out a demolition drive, asserting that the land—home to families for the past 40 years—belongs to Uttarakhand Transport Corporation. Now, uncertainty grips 47 shopkeepers of the Vishwakarma market, on the periphery of the local bus stand, who have been ordered to vacate their 50-year-old shops within 14 days, by March 25. These families, who built their lives around these establishments, now stare at an uncertain future. Fear and despair cloud their days as they struggle to come to terms with losing not just their livelihood but a lifetime of memories.
On Sunday, affected traders of the Ram Manohar Lohiya Market staged a protest, demanding free ownership of the shops constructed at the vending zone near Rudrapur Municipal Corporation. The government has priced these shops between Rs 6 to Rs 9 lakh, a move that traders strongly oppose. “We were not given any compensation when our shops were razed, so why is the government demanding money for rehabilitation now?” questioned a protesting trader.
The administration’s crackdown on alleged illegal encroachments will render many homeless and jobless. Ashu Grover, whose family had operated a general merchant shop for over five decades in vLohiya market, sees an illegal parking developed in the market, his eyes reflecting a profound sense of loss.
“This shop was our lifeline,” he laments. “In a single day, without any warning or alternative arrangement, everything we’ve built was destroyed. Is this the development we were promised?
Similarly, in Dariya Nagar, the scene is one of devastation. Ramesh Sharma now finds himself without a place to call home or a means to earn a living.
“We believed in the promises of prosperity,” he says, her voice choked with emotion. “But now, my children and I sleep in our relative’s homes. Where do we go from here?”
The city’s traders’ union has voiced strong opposition to the government’s approach. Sanjay Juneja, president of the union, criticizes the lack of rehabilitation plans for those affected by the demolitions. “The government’s actions are heartless,” Juneja said. “You cannot simply demolish livelihoods without offering any form of compensation or alternative. We demand immediate rehabilitation for all affected traders and residents.”
Contrasting the local anguish, the administration is preparing an elaborate celebration to mark its third year in power. The upcoming roadshow in Rudrapur is set to showcase the government’s achievements, with extensive arrangements underway to ensure a grand spectacle. However, for those like Vikram Singh, a young entrepreneur struggling to keep his garment business afloat amidst infrastructural challenges, these celebrations ring hollow. “They celebrate their success while we suffer,” Singh remarks bitterly. “We need support and infrastructure, not grand parades.”
As Rudrapur braces for the forthcoming political festivities, the stark contrast between the administration’s jubilant proclamations and the ground realities of its citizens becomes ever more pronounced. The resilience of Rudrapur’s people is undeniable, but their patience wanes as they await tangible actions that align with the promises made.
“The question that lingers is whether the voices of our distressed traders and residents will pierce through the celebratory clamor, compelling the government to address our grievances with the urgency and compassion we desperately need”, added Juneja.
