Patna: Around 1,000 shops and other commercial establishments from Sheikhpura Mor to Jagdeopath were closed from 10am to 2pm on Monday to protest against the demolition of parking space and its conversion into a plantation area under the Raja Bazar flyover in the city. Businessmen and local residents also held a protest march in the area against the initiative.The green area is being developed by the Patna forest division under the direction of the Patna Municipal Corporation (PMC).
The shopkeepers and locals gathered near Sheikhpura Mor around 10am under the banner of Bailey Road Janchetna Manch. Holding placards and banners, the agitators travelled from Sheikhpura Mor to Jagdeopath via Ashiana Mor. They expressed concerns that the administration’s removal of the entire parking space under the flyover would be a setback for their businesses. They apprehended that the customers who visit the area would also face difficulties in parking their vehicles.
PMC commissioner Animesh Kumar Parashar said the corporation would develop a green space under the flyover. “A total of 19 U-turns have been left free for the locals and commuters. Besides, some space will also be left for parking purposes,” he said. However, when asked about the specific space to be left for parking and the area to be developed as greenery, Parashar was unable to provide details.
Currently, there is a parking space for more than 500 vehicles under the Raja Bazar flyover. Ajay Kumar Rocket, president of the Manch, said, “The urban development and housing department minister, Nitin Nabin, had assured us that the construction work has been stopped. But the officials of PMC and Patna forest division have sped up the works during the night. We had met Parashar just a day ago and were assured that the work has been discontinued till further survey for greenery as well as space for parking.”
Sonu Kumar, a tailoring shop owner, said his shop has been there since 1990. “The road is quite narrow in the Raja Bazar area, which leads to severe traffic chaos during school and office hours. The problem will further escalate when the parking space is removed,” added Sonu.
The entire stretch of Bailey Road, from IGIMS hospital to Jagdeopath, could be seen encroached upon by footpath vendors, fruits and vegetable sellers. “The district administration claims to run anti-encroachment drives at regular intervals. But soon, the encroachers come back to their place as soon as the administration and PMC team leave the area,” said Sudhir Gupta, who operates a computer parts shop near Ashiana Mor.