The recent markings for widening in Maharajganj town in UP have caused concern among local residents and traders. The project has been started with the aim of widening the Maharajganj road. The aim is to improve road traffic connected to the border.
Administrative steps and solutions
The markings for road widening have sparked concern and protests among local traders and residents. Many shopkeepers and homeowners have alleged that their houses and shops may be demolished to widen the road.Due to which their business and life will be affected. At some places, the middle part of the road is entering the houses and shops up to one and a half to two meters.
Due to which a feeling of insecurity is arising among the local people. For the widening of the approved NH 730 S road from the main square of the city to Thuthibari, now shops and houses have been marked inside the city as well.
At some places, 4 meters of road land has been marked inside the house and at other places, 3.30 meters of road land has been marked. This has created panic among the house owners and shopkeepers. Understanding the situation, the local administration has started a survey to build a 20 meter wide road till Maupadak.
This will affect a small number of houses and shops. After the survey, the necessary land acquisition and compensation process will be completed. Completion of this project will facilitate travel between Maharajganj and Thuthibari. And an additional route will be available for cargo going to Nepal which will improve trade relations.
The National Highways Ministry had approved Rs 809.25 crore for the 40.390 km long NH 730 S from Maharajganj to Thuthibari via Nichlaul in the year 2023. This route is a secondary highway of NH 730.Vehicles going from Padrauna to Pilibhit via NH 730 can reach the Nepal border at Thuthibari directly from Maharajganj via Nichlaul.
There is also a custom office facility for cargo going to Nepal from Thuthibari. Earlier there was a plan to build a 32 meter wide road on College Road in Maharajganj city, but after the opposition of the traders, now a survey has been done for a 20 meter wide road.
Local reaction and protest
The construction work of NH 730 S is going on at a fast pace. The land has been acquired. Survey has been done inside the city. The highway will be built inside the city on NHAI’s land. After the acquisition of land for NH 730 S, the widening work has gained momentum.
A new bridge is being built in place of the old bridge on this route. A diversion has also been made to maintain traffic. The construction of all the bridges is expected to be completed before the monsoons. Roads have also been built at various places.
In Thuthibari, a yellow mark has been put there for the widening of NH 730 S. This has caused anger among the traders and people. They say that two years ago, large-scale demolition was done inside Thuthibari town for road widening. The appearance of the market has been ruined.
Compensation for the demolished house has not been received. Now markings are being made for demolition again. It is coming to light that service lanes will not be built from the main crossing to Maupadak. On the instructions of NH, the surveyor has marked a distance of ten meters on both sides of the middle road in the city.
It is being said that a 32 meter wide road will be built in Dhanewa-Dhanei beyond Maupadak. Manoj Kumar, a resident of Maupadak in the city, said that markings have been made at 10 meters on both sides of the middle road. The road is going 2.3 meters inside his house.
Right in front, in Maupadak Durga Mandir, markings have been made up to 4 meters inside. Rakesh Agrahari, Thugai, Omprakash Ravindra etc. said that markings have been made 3.3 meters inside their houses.
Grocery shopkeeper Ram Sanehi said that markings have been made up to 3.3 meters inside his shop. It is not yet clear whether the drain will be built within ten meters from the middle of the road or the drain will be built after ten meters. A state of confusion remains.
