Himmatnagar

The bandh call has been given by 15 local organizations against the plan of Himmatnagar Urban Development Authority(HUDA). Locals want government to terminate HUDA. The state government on the other side is not ready for that. The Chief Minister in her recent meeting with local leaders said the state government was ready to revise the plans, if people had problem, but HUDA would not go.

Chief Minister had in her meeting with local BJP leaders, MLA and others asked why protest against HUDA, two and half years after its formation?

It has to be mentioned that notification on formation of HUDA was issued in October 2012. HUDA had issued directive to 11 village panchayats to refuse permission to new constructions. Talati of these gram panchayats were asked to submit all record before Taluka Development Officer(TDO). Over dozen builders were issues notice and asked to stop ongoing construction of buildings.

The agitation against HUDA is mainly led by builders, land brokers, farmers, affected plot owners and sarpanchs of 11 villages that are under HUDA. Citing anger among locals, BJP MLA Rajubhai Chavda and district BJP president Pruthirajbhai Patel had made representation last week before district Collector P.Swaroop along with sarpanchs of 11 villages. Later they also met Chief Minister on last Tuesday. Chief Minister said the plans could be revised, but HUDA would continue to stay, and it will not be terminated.

BJP MLA and district BJP Chief agree that they have failed to convey the purpose of HUDA. They said misconception on HUDA needs to be clarified.

For last three years, construction industry has been in worst phase following lack of approval from HUDA. Construction on as many as 20,000 plots is pending following lack of approval by HUDA.

To prevent any violence during today’s bandh, Rapid Action Force(RAF) has been called. RAF conducted flag march in city on Sunday. District collector has imposed section 144.

Local traders association, bar assoiation, grocersy stores assocation, construction industry etc have supported today’s bandh call.

People in 11 villages fear land acquisition for roads and other development works. Locals believe, some farmer may lose their entire land in HUDA process. Villagers have not sent their children to schools today. Similarly milk producing groups have not visited milk houses today.

The agitation during bandh call has been non political. Protesters are only shouting the slogans against HUDA and not against any leader or party.

Parabda, Dhandha, Savgadh, Katvad, Boricha, Khurad, Piplodi, Hadiyol, Kanknol, Berna, Balvantpura, Nava and Himmatnagar municipality are some of the villages/areas that are part of HUDA. The agitation has been stronger in recent past after Town Planning map issued by HUDA in which roads are to be widened and new roads are to be built which shall affect some residential buildings and farm land.

An incident of lathicharge has been reported in the morning. Police said lathicharge was done to clear the road block on Shamlaji highway which connects Ahmedabad and Udaipur.

– DeshGujarat