Bharuch: A major demolition drive was carried out by the Bharuch district administration early Wednesday morning at Hariratna Shopping Centre on Station Road, triggering a tense situation and protests from local trustees. The operation began around 4 am when a convoy of government vehicles, along with two JCB machines, three tractor-trolleys, and heavy police deployment, reached the site.

The Bharuch District Panchayat, with support from the police and home guards, demolished 36 dilapidated shops and razed two unauthorised shrines, the Hazrat Balapir and Masumpir Bawa dargahs located within the shopping complex premises. Officials said the structures were built on District Panchayat-owned land falling under City Survey Nos. 1464 to 1479.

To maintain law and order, more than 40 police personnel and over 30 home guards were deployed during the drive. Bharuch SDM Manisha Manani and District Panchayat officials supervised the demolition process. Authorities stated that prior notices had been issued to the dargah trustees, following which the action was taken.

According to Mahendrasinh Vansdiya, President of the Bharuch District Panchayat, the demolition was part of a larger redevelopment plan under which a modern VVIP Rest House complex is proposed to be constructed in Bharuch, Rajpardi, Netrang, and Jambusar. In Bharuch, the facility is planned on the land of the old rest house and the Hariratna complex opposite the City Centre.

However, the trustees of the demolished dargahs alleged that the shrines had existed for several years and that the matter was under legal consideration. They claimed they had approached the Gujarat High Court earlier and had initiated further proceedings in a lower court after the stay period ended. The trustees alleged the demolition was carried out before the legal process was completed. DeshGujarat