The ambitious project to convert the Ayodhya Bypass into a 10-lane corridor faced stiff resistance on Thursday as residents of Kesar Basti took to the streets to protest their impending displacement. The situation on National Highway-146 turned volatile when approximately 90 slum dwellers, agitated by administrative eviction notices, blocked the road and reportedly chased commuters with sticks (lathis), causing widespread panic. Protesters, including a large number of men and women, gathered on the main thoroughfare on Thursday afternoon, placing large boulders to obstruct traffic. Eyewitnesses reported that several women armed with lathis stood guard; when some commuters attempted to navigate through the blockade, the protesters turned aggressive and chased them. The hour-long disruption resulted in massive traffic snarls on both sides of the highway, causing significant inconvenience to the general public. Upon receiving reports of the commotion, the Ayodhya Nagar Police reached the spot to restore order. Station House Officer Mahesh Lillare stated that the blockade was eventually cleared after extensive persuasion and dialogue with the residents.

 

He clarified that the eviction notices had been served to the slum dwellers in accordance with legal procedures. Govindpura SDM Bhuvan Gupta further clarified that these structures are direct obstructions to the Ayodhya Bypass project. “Residents have been served notices twice. Although no demolition or displacement action was scheduled for Thursday, the protest appears to have been triggered by fear and anxiety regarding the notices,” Gupta noted. The affected families of Kesar Basti alleged that while the administration is prepared to evict them, there is no concrete plan for their future. The residents have demanded a clear rehabilitation policy and the determination of fair compensation before they vacate their homes, as the threat of losing their shelters has created a deep sense of insecurity. The administration maintains that the 16-kilometre stretch of National Highway-146, extending from Asharam Tiraha to Ratnagiri Tiraha, is being upgraded to a 10-lane corridor as a priority infrastructure goal. The project encompasses several major developments, including a proposed flyover at Anand Nagar and the removal of various obstructions. To date, 146 shops along the roadside have been removed, and three religious structures, a ward office, and a police post have already been shifted to facilitate development.