Jamshedpur: The administration carried out a major anti-encroachment drive on Thursday to clear the main road connecting Tatanagar Railway Station to Kitadih. Under the supervision of the police and the Permanent Way Inspector (PWI), an RPF team arrived with bulldozers in the morning to dismantle illegal shops and structures.
During the operation, more than 24 small and large shops, including those in the Golpahari area, were demolished. A heavy police contingent was deployed to prevent any untoward incidents. This action follows a public announcement made via loudspeakers by the RPF and GRP on Wednesday, warning shopkeepers to vacate the premises.
Legal Context and Controversy
The drive stems from a High Court order issued on January 22, which granted shopkeepers—some of whom had been there for years—a one-month grace period to vacate. The court also directed the Railways to rehabilitate these vendors to an alternative location within railway territory within 42 days and submit a compliance report. The next hearing for the case is scheduled for March 20.
Despite the court’s directive, the Railways has yet to finalize a relocation site for the displaced vendors. Many shopkeepers expressed deep resentment during the drive, labelling the demolition a direct attack on their livelihoods in the absence of an alternative arrangement. Administration officials, however, maintained that the drive was strictly in compliance with judicial orders and stated that the anti-encroachment campaign would continue.
