Indore begins master plan road demolition drive:16 houses razed in Jinsi area; 78 properties obstruct proposed road alignment

Action was taken against houses obstructing a master plan road in Indore on Thursday. Four teams from the municipal corporation reached the Jinsi area in the morning with five JCB machines and five Poklen excavators. During the drive, 16 houses between Jinsi Square and the Lakshmibai statue were partially demolished. Officials said a total of 78 houses are obstructing the proposed road alignment and encroachments will be removed in phases. At some locations, heated arguments were also reported between residents and civic officials during the demolition drive. Officials said the action was being taken only after completing the notice-and-hearing process. Once completed, the road is expected to improve connectivity from Bada Ganpati and the Malharganj area towards Ujjain Road, Marimata and the Super Corridor. Road width reduced from 80 feet to 60 feet Under the master plan, the road was originally proposed to be 80 feet wide. However, residents opposed the plan, saying it would result in the complete demolition of several houses. Residents argued that reducing the width would help save portions of most homes. The issue had remained disputed for a long time. Mayor and later minister Kailash Vijayvargiya also visited the area and held discussions with residents. Following the discussions, authorities agreed to reduce the road width from 80 feet to 60 feet. Similar action likely in Chhawani area The municipal corporation is now preparing for another road-widening drive in the Chhawani area. The road from Madhumilan Square to Jagannath School is proposed to be widened to 60 feet. Residents there had also opposed the earlier 80-foot proposal. According to civic officials, encroachment removal work in the area could begin from Friday. Officials added that tenders worth ₹423 crore have already been issued for 23 master plan roads across the city.