UditVani, Jamshedpur : In a major push to fast-track the redevelopment and expansion of Tatanagar Railway Station, railway authorities launched a large-scale anti-encroachment drive in the adjoining Kitadih and Golpahari areas, demolishing more than 22 shops built on railway land.
Officials said the move would help ease chronic traffic congestion around the station and pave the way for enhanced passenger amenities.
The operation began early in the day amid tight security arrangements.
Personnel from Bagbera police station and the Railway Protection Force were deployed to maintain law and order.
Shopkeepers were asked to remove their belongings before the structures identified as encroachments were razed using heavy machinery.
According to railway officials, the action forms part of a broader station redevelopment blueprint aimed at modernising infrastructure, streamlining traffic movement and improving overall passenger convenience.
Unplanned constructions and temporary stalls near the station had long been blamed for traffic snarls and commuter inconvenience.
Upendra Singh, an official from the Railway Land Department, stated that the eviction drive was carried out in compliance with court directives.
“We have identified 22 to 25 shops for removal. This step is essential to give the station area an organised, safe and modern appearance. Upcoming works will focus on improved parking, better pedestrian movement, footpath development and beautification,” he said.
He added that clearing encroachments would reduce vehicular pressure and ensure smoother movement of emergency services in the vicinity.
However, the demolition sparked resentment among affected shopkeepers, many of whom claimed they were complying with orders of the Jharkhand High Court.
Traders alleged that the court had directed the railway administration to identify and inform them of suitable rehabilitation sites within 42 days, but no clear rehabilitation plan has been communicated so far.
“We have been running our businesses here for years. The court spoke about rehabilitation, yet we have not received any concrete information. This sudden action has put our livelihood at risk,” said one affected trader.
Notably, the Railway Engineering Department had earlier demolished nearly a dozen of the 25 shops located along the station -Kitadih Road.
At that time, the remaining shopkeepers approached the court, temporarily stalling the drive. With the court-mandated timeline now completed, authorities appear set to resume and intensify the clearance process.
The redevelopment plan for Tatanagar station envisions upgraded waiting halls, expanded parking facilities, wider access roads, improved sanitation systems and comprehensive beautification measures.
Railway officials maintain that removing encroachments is critical to executing these long-pending infrastructure upgrades.
The episode once again underscores the delicate balance between urban development and economic sustenance, as authorities push for a modernised transit hub while displaced traders seek assurance of fair resettlement.
