Demolition drive begins for road widening in Vemulawada

Authorities in Vemulawada have begun demolishing houses and shops for a long-pending road widening project. Section 144 has been imposed, and compensation was given to 60 of 343 oustees. Some residents have challenged the demolition in court.

Rajanna Sircilla: Authorities have begun demolishing houses and shops in Vemulawada temple town as part of a long-pending road widening initiative.

The demolition drive started on Sunday and resumed with full force on Monday morning. Ten teams were deployed, each with a JCB, to carry out the demolition. A large police force was also stationed at the site, and Section 144 has been imposed within a 100-metre radius of the demolition area to prevent gatherings.

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Barricades have been erected near the martyr’s memorial to restrict vehicular movement towards the main road.

Officials are reportedly vacating houses and commercial establishments forcefully, with labourers pressed into service to remove household articles.

The road widening initiative, pending for several years, was finally taken up following the issuance of notices a fortnight ago to occupants, directing them to vacate.

Of the 343 identified oustees, compensation has so far been paid to 60 individuals in three phases. While some shop owners have vacated voluntarily, a few have approached the court challenging the demolition.