Bhopal: Tale of a couple, whose source of income is now closed owing to demolition drive carried out by Municipal Corporation, highlights the dark side of the ambitious Smart City Project.
Rukshar Ahmad would run a cycle repair shop while his wife Shaheen Ahmad had a beauty parlor. “We were eking out our living through this family business but the demolition drive for the ‘Smart Road’ snatched away our sources of income,” says Rukshar.
“Our condition is becoming miserable with each passing day and that the school in which my child studies has refused to hand over mark sheet as we failed to deposit the fee for the last month,” he adds.
The smart road which is proposed from polytechnique square to depot square has impacted the lives of residents of Pratap Nagar and Ahata Rustam Khan, the areas which are located on both sides of the road.
A recent action by civic body in which shops and house of the area on road were bulldozed has left them with no other choice but to wait for a relief from the government.
The authorities have although ensured a makeshift arrangement to the displaced people but is that enough, for the persons who have lost their homes. Around 150 families have been affected by the drive. Few of the residents are still living in their houses while others have moved to their new location provided by corporation at Jawahar square.
Another resident of the same locality Anandibai Ojha, who is now living in makeshift arrangement provided by the corporation is a widow. “I was running a grocery shop in my house there where I had fixed customers so there was no issue of money. Now I am forced to run the same shop in a new place where I hardly find a visitor. It was quite uncomfortable to sleep in the tin shed in summers however there is relief to us in rains. I have four children to raise and I am seeing really no scope for them now,” says Anandibai.
The government has assured us of providing flats soon but till then we are cursed to spend days here instead of our home, she adds.
Mohammad Zahid who runs a shop in the area said his shop was partially demolished in the drive and now he is forced to run the shop in this dilapidated structure until further action as the BMC will resume the drive after Eid.
Local corporator Shabista Zaki is leading the protest over the issue says that the action of corporation was illegal. The way action has taken has ruined businesses of around ninety families in the area.
The victims of displacement may get another accommodation but what about their source of earning which has been ruptured for now.
