Over 300 Residents Receive Notices for Encroachment Removal
Railway officials initiate action for Tata-Badampahar line doubling project; residents voice concerns over displacement.
Key Points:
- Railways issue notices to 300+ Jharkhand Nagar residents.
- Encroachment linked to Tata-Badampahar railway doubling project.
- Residents demand resettlement before eviction.
JAMSHEDPUR – The Railways have reignited the process of doubling the Tata-Badampahar rail line, issuing eviction notices to over 300 residents of Jharkhand Nagar, Parshudih. This move comes 17 years after initial efforts to clear encroachments stalled in 2007.
The notices provide a timeline for vacating properties, warning of penalties if ignored. Residents, many of whom have lived there for decades, argue that removing their homes without prior resettlement is unjust. “We’ve lived here for over 50 years. They should relocate us first if eviction is unavoidable,” a resident said.
A History of Delays
In 2007, a similar operation led to significant uproar when bulldozers razed several properties. The plan was eventually halted after former land revenue minister Dulal Bhuiyan intervened, directing railway officials to pause the demolition. This delayed the doubling project for over a decade.
Broader Impact
Notices have also been served to encroachers in the Makdampur area, sparking similar protests. Many residents have approached local legislators and MPs, urging them to prevent their displacement. “Railways should justify why they allowed settlements in the first place,” a local activist remarked.
The Railways intend to recover costs incurred during the anti-encroachment drives, further intensifying public anger. Officials maintain that these steps are crucial for advancing the stalled Tata-Badampahar project.
