PM housing under threat for DJ Plaza:Victims say utilities cut, homes weakened; action continues despite CM move

‘Even after submitting applications multiple times, when the action didn’t stop and my house started being demolished, I was forced to hold the SDM’s feet. I said – Sir! Don’t demolish my house. This is my everything, but no one listened to me. Right in front of me, my house was turned into rubble. Where children’s laughter once echoed, now there is only dust and silence.’ This pain was shared by 70-year-old Lakshmikant Dwivedi, who had been living for years in his house built on leased land. Action is being carried out in the area for the proposed DJ Plaza project in Sidhi city. The victim alleges that three months ago, his brother’s shop was demolished, and he died shortly afterwards due to the shock. Now, houses built under the Prime Minister Housing Scheme in 2017 have also come under action. After protests, instead of direct demolition, digging has been carried out around the houses, making them unsafe. Cracks have developed in several homes, and there is a constant risk of collapse. Families who have lived here for decades now live in fear of losing their homes. The Bhaskar team reached Sidhi to investigate the entire matter. The team tried to understand why action is being taken against houses built on leased land and under the Prime Minister Housing Scheme. At the site, affected families shared their ordeal and broke down while narrating their suffering. Action on PM Housing: Houses built in 2017, now in danger In the Samrat Chowk area of Sidhi city, five houses built in 2017 under the Prime Minister Housing Scheme and one ancestral house on leased land have come under action. The victims say all families have valid land documents. Despite this, one house has already been demolished. After protests, instead of demolishing the remaining houses, authorities dug around them, isolating the structures. This has caused cracks in several houses, weakening their foundations and putting them at risk of collapse at any time. Families have also alleged receiving threats and say they feel unsafe. Many of them have been living here for more than 50 years. In Whose Names Are the Houses Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (2017) Beneficiaries Houses Built on Leased Land Threatened to be buried in debris Pooja Vishwakarma said, “My husband died when my son was just eight months old. I raised my children alone and managed the family. But now the situation has become worse. Digging has already been done around my house, making it unsafe. I am constantly being threatened. I am told that the house will be demolished at night and we will be buried under the debris. The entire family is living in fear. I am standing only for my children. We need justice, security and the right to live.” Action Being Taken Without Rehabilitation Geeta Kevat said, “We received this house under the Prime Minister Housing Scheme in 2017. Now preparations are being made to demolish it. No alternative arrangement has been made. Without rehabilitation, this action will leave my family homeless. Poor people’s houses are being targeted for a private project. Demolition is being carried out without proper notice.” Husband, Son and Brother-in-law Died, Now Demolishing House Kusum Vishwakarma said, “My husband Saukhilal Vishwakarma died in 2010 due to illness. I somehow managed life with my son, but in 2013, my only son Ankit died in an accident. A few years later, my brother-in-law also passed away. There is no male earning member left in the family. I was managing with a small tea shop, but that too has been taken away. Now even the roof over my head is being taken. We are being pushed onto the streets for a private DJ Plaza project. Where will we go and what will we do?” Can’t sleep at night due to fear of bulldozer Geeta Vishwakarma said, “We cannot sleep at night due to fear of demolition. There is constant fear of bulldozers. We are worried about our children’s future. Pressure is being created to vacate the house. Unknown people roam around at night, creating fear in the area. Families stay awake fearing something untoward may happen.” Electricity, water cut off, cracks made in walls Anupama Chaurasia said, “When we refused to vacate, the electricity line was cut and the water connection was broken. Cracks have been deliberately created in the walls to weaken the house. Digging has been done all around, and the house can collapse at any time.” Dinesh Chaurasia said, “I am 70 years old, and at this age it is not possible to build a new house. Despite approaching several officials, no relief has been given. The fear of becoming homeless in old age is troubling me. I feel helpless.” What is DJ Plaza, for which Prime Minister’s houses are being demolished? The proposed DJ Plaza in the Samrat Chowk area of Sidhi district is a commercial project. It is to be developed on about 2 acres of land on a 99-year lease. It is alleged that nearby land is also being included for expansion. Under this process, houses built under the Prime Minister Housing Scheme are being removed. Around 600 shops are proposed in this project, with plans to develop it into a major commercial hub. Local residents are angry over the action, saying houses built by the government for the poor are now being demolished. CM removed the Collector, yet the action hasn’t stopped Affected families had met the Chief Minister during his visit and raised their concerns. The Chief Minister had assured an inquiry and appropriate action. Taking the irregularities seriously, the Collector was also removed. Despite this, the action is continuing. Victims allege that the Chief Minister’s instructions are not being followed by officials. According to victim Badal Vishwakarma, despite clear directions, the administration is continuing the action. Questions are being raised over the functioning of the administration, and affected families are being forced to struggle for justice. Matter Under Consideration in Court: SDM SDM Rakesh Shukla said the matter is under consideration in court, so the administration cannot take any direct decision. Further action will be taken as per court orders. For now, all parties will have to wait for the decision. The administration is working within the legal framework, and all sides have the opportunity to present their case in court.