Jaipur has been put on high alert ahead of a major anti-encroachment drive in the city's Jagatpura area, where authorities are set to demolish five religious structures, including a mosque and two temples, as part of a long-pending road-widening project.
Internet services have been suspended and over 3,000 police personnel have been deployed across the city, including 12 companies of the Rajasthan Armed Constabulary (RAC), to prevent any untoward incidents.
The Jaipur Development Authority (JDA) has been working to expand a 1.5-km stretch of Nandpuri Road from its current width of 25-30 feet to 80 feet, but the project has been hindered by the presence of the religious structures.
Officials claim that notices were issued to the owners of the structures well in advance, but they failed to comply, leading to the decision to take direct action.
The road-widening project is expected to benefit nearly 50 colonies by improving connectivity between Jagatpura and key areas such as Malviya Nagar, Pradhan Marg, and Apex Circle.
However, the move has drawn criticism from some political leaders and community groups, who have raised concerns about the handling of the situation and the potential impact on social harmony.
