The demolition and relocation of the Government Science College ‘Chowpatty’, widely known across the capital as the NIT Youth Hub, situated on GE Road, triggered one of the most dramatic political standoffs. The developments spanned from late Friday night to Saturday morning here as Congress workers and traders clashed with police, BJP supporters mobilised in retaliation and former Congress MLA Vikash Upadhyay was detained while attempting to block demolition machinery.

 

Tension had begun rising earlier in the week since last Tuesday, but the situation escalated sharply on Friday night when municipal preparations for clearing the ‘Chowpatty’ reached local residents and vendors. The friction intensified near the residence of former Minister and current BJP Raipur West MLA Rajesh Munat where Congress and BJP workers exchanged heated arguments that soon turned into shoving and physical scuffles. Eyewitnesses reported that police were compelled to intervene to prevent the situation from deteriorating further. Moreover, a brief confrontation involving former councillor husband Pritam Thakur and a senior Congress party office-bearers Subodh Haritwal amplified the tension and drew a reinforced police presence.

 

At the centre of the protest stood Vikash Upadhyay, who accused the administration of political vendetta. He said that nearly ten crore rupees of investment by vendors and traders would be destroyed without prior notice, discussion or rehabilitation. He asserted that the ‘Chowpatty’ would be cleared only after the JCB moves over his body. His remarks energised supporters and drew additional crowds as the night progressed. By midnight, the area had turned into a full scale demonstration with Congress workers, vendors and local residents staging an overnight vigil.

 

Protesters said there was no written notice from the municipal administration and that the sudden execution of demolition amounted to a unilateral action. Many insisted that they were not given any timeline, relocation plan or space for consultation. Early Saturday morning, RMC teams, supported by police, arrived with JCBs, cranes and transport vehicles to begin dismantling the kiosks. Several protesters climbed the machinery in an attempt to stop the drive. Police removed them and detained Upadhyay while municipal teams continued clearing the structures.

 

Vendors alleged that structures built over several years were dismantled abruptly and that they were left with no clarity about the relocation. RMC workers then began loading kiosks onto trucks and preparing the new site beside the overbridge for shifting the NIT Youth Hub.

 

Traders complained that the new location lacked basic infrastructure and planning and that the sudden shift would severely affect their business. Meanwhile, Deputy Chief Minister Arun Sao reacted sharply to the confrontation and said that protest is acceptable in a democracy but the Congress must decide whether it wants constructive politics or disruption. He added that the relocation forms part of a broader plan for city development and student convenience. Congress leaders have warned of a larger agitation if vendors are not heard. Police officials maintained that their priority remained the maintenance of public order as the dispute continues to widen across political and civic lines.