Railways demolish four-decade-old Mohit Hindu Hotel near Tatanagar Railway Station

Mail News Service

Jamshedpur, Sep 23: The Mohit Hotel, a long-standing establishment on the main road near Tatanagar railway station, was demolished on Monday by railway authorities. The hotel was razed using heavy machinery after owner Karan Singh was ordered to vacate the premises. A significant presence of Railway Protection Force (RPF) personnel ensured the demolition proceeded smoothly.

Magistrate Shaila Minz, present at the site, explained, “The decision in the Mohit Hotel case came in favour of the railways two years ago. Although a case was filed by the hotel, it was later withdrawn. Without a stay order, we had to proceed with the demolition.” She added that the cleared space would be repurposed for public use.

Karan Singh expressed his dismay, stating, “My family has run this hotel for 40 years. My father, Diwakar Singh, started this business because there were no food options for passengers near the station. This hotel has been a vital service for the community.” He revealed ongoing legal battles with the railways, noting, “We lost our case in 2017 and have been appealing since. There were discussions with railway officials through MP Bidyut Baran Mahto, who assured us that action would be taken after Durga Puja. I never received any notice before the demolition.”

The demolition of Mohit Hotel has instilled fear among residents who have been living on encroached railway land. Many are now worried about their homes facing similar fates. “If they can demolish a hotel that’s been here for four decades, what’s to stop them from coming for us next?” one concerned resident remarked. The recent razing of Singh Hindu Hotel to create a parking lot has only intensified these anxieties within the community.

Illegal occupation hinders Tatanagar Station redevelopment 

Jamshedpur, Sep 23: The redevelopment of Tatanagar Railway Station, ordered by the Railway Board and with its foundation stone already laid, faces a significant obstacle: illegal occupation of railway land. This encroachment presents a considerable challenge for both the district and railway administrations in their efforts to clear the area.

Removing these illegal structures will not be straightforward, and it is expected to reignite political tensions. Politicians who have previously benefited from illegally occupying railway land and constructing luxurious homes are likely to complicate the situation further.

A historical precedent exists; in 1998, illegal houses near Tatanagar station and from the Railway Traffic Colony to Kitadih were demolished by the railways. However, the problem of encroachment has resurfaced, suggesting a systemic failure to address these issues adequately.