Jaipur: JDA launches demolition drive on New Sanganer Road, BJP MLA Gopal Sharma raises demarcation concerns
Jaipur Development Authority begins demolition on New Sanganer Road for widening, sparking protests and legal concerns from BJP MLA Gopal Sharma.
A massive demolition and anti-encroachment drive was launched by the Jaipur Development Authority (JDA) on Monday along New Sanganer Road. The operation is part of an ambitious plan to widen the stretch to approximately 160 feet, but it has quickly turned into a heated confrontation between authorities and local residents.
Widening Project Triggers Demolition Action
The current phase of the drive is focused on a specific stretch between Sodala and Gurjar Ki Thadi. Following directives from the Rajasthan High Court, JDA officials have moved in to remove structures and extensions that fall within the proposed road boundary. While the overall project is large, the immediate action is concentrated on a limited portion near Gurjar Ki Thadi.
According to JDA officials, the current operation targets around 15 identified structures within a one-kilometre stretch. These include shop extensions, staircases, and other portions of buildings that are obstructing the planned expansion of the corridor.
BJP MLA Questions Demarcation Accuracy
The drive has faced significant political pushback. BJP MLA Gopal Sharma, who was present at the site during the operation, raised serious concerns regarding how the land was surveyed and demarcated. He pointed out that many residents have held legal property documents for as long as 40 years.
"Major errors have been made in demarcations and the evidence has been submitted to the government," said Sharma, highlighting the tension between long-term property rights and the new development plans.
Sharma also criticized the JDA's timing, suggesting a pattern where actions are taken just as court hearings approach. He argued that such administrative attitudes actually contribute to the very encroachment issues the authority seeks to solve.
Legal Battles and Infrastructure Shifts
The tension is not limited to political statements. The road-widening project has sparked a wave of legal challenges. Traders and residents, fearing the loss of their homes and livelihoods, have approached both the Rajasthan High Court and the Supreme Court seeking relief from the demolition.
In preparation for the expanded 160-foot road, the JDA has also begun significant infrastructure shifts. Official tender records indicate that work has started to dismantle and relocate LT/HT power lines and transformers that currently obstruct the development path from Sodala to Gurjar Ki Thadi.
Summary of the Conflict
- The Goal: Expanding New Sanganer Road to a 160-foot wide corridor.
- The Action: Removal of approximately 15 structures near Gurjar Ki Thadi.
- The Dispute: Residents claim legal ownership for decades, while the JDA cites court-ordered encroachment removal.
- The Legal Status: Multiple petitions are currently pending in the Supreme Court and Rajasthan High Court.