Protests against demolition of parking lot in Patna | Patna News – Times of India
Patna: Businessmen and locals continue to stage protests against the move of Patna Municipal Corporation (PMC) to scrap the parking spot under the Raja Bazar flyover in the city to develop a green space. They started an indefinite hunger strike at the same place after staging a dharna near pillar number 43 on Saturday.
Hundreds of shopkeepers and other businessmen gathered near pillar number 43 of the flyover around 9.30am and five of them observed a hunger strike from 10am to 6pm.A temporary stage has been set up at the place where the dharna was staged and now the hunger strike is being observed by the agitators under the banner of Bailey Road Janchetna Manch.
Ajay Kumar Rocket, president of the Manch, said, “The hunger strike will continue by the businessmen until an official order to stop the work is issued by the PMC. Five people on rotation will observe a full-day fast from 10am to 6pm every day. The five people who observed the fast on Saturday were Kamil Khan (Samanpura), Rajesh Ranjan (Khajpura), Khushboo Kumari (Raja Bazar), Vishal Yadav (Raja Bazar) and Lalita Devi (Raja Bazar).”
Ziaullah Khan, a member of the Manch, said, “Chief minister Nitish Kumar, during the inauguration of the flyover in 2015, had assured that it would not only ease the traffic on Bailey Road, but a large area under it could be used as parking for hundreds of vehicles. This could facilitate the commuters, businessmen and customers as well. However, the parking area is now being demolished.”
Punil Kumar, a local trader, said the administration is rigid over the issue. “It seems that they have some personal benefit from the decision. PMC should provide a separate space near Bailey Road for a vending zone to the local vendors. This would ease the traffic and encroachment under the flyover or Bailey Road. But scrapping the parking from under the flyover is not a suitable solution to encroachment,” he added.
Meanwhile, long queues of vehicles were seen on Bailey Road from Sheikhpura Mor to IGIMS as the parking space in the area has been occupied and fenced with an iron grill by the administration.
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Around 1,000 shops from Sheikhpura Mor to Jagdeopath were closed Monday to protest the conversion of parking space into a green area under the Raja Bazar flyover. Despite promises of halting construction, officials have proceeded with the work, causing concern among shopkeepers about increased traffic issues and parking difficulties for customers.
GMDA and NHAI carried out an enforcement drive to remove over 100 shanties under the Rajiv Chowk flyover, which had been causing traffic issues. The drive was supported by police to prevent any resistance. The area will be fenced and developed with a green cover, ensuring it remains encroachment-free. Residents welcomed the move, calling it long overdue.
