The Canal Road built in Zone 4 of Bhilai Municipal Corporation has become a center of attraction and is proving very useful for local residents. Seeing its success, work has now begun to extend the Canal Road beyond Nandini Road. To make way for this extension, a joint operation by the Municipal Corporation and the PWD (Public Works Department) is under way to mark and remove illegal encroachments along the canal. However, even before the start of construction for Canal Road Phase-2, tensions have started rising. On Saturday, there was chaos when the PWD team arrived for marking. The department marked 40 feet for the new road, worrying many residents. Fearing they would lose their homes, people quickly gathered with the local councilor to protest. Residents said no one should be made homeless in the name of development.

 

The plan for Canal Road is not new. It aims to cover the canal passing through the city and build a road over it. The first phase, from Khursipar Zero Point to Nandini Road, has been completed and is already in use. The second phase is planned from Nandini Road to Kohka. Earlier, the BMC had marked 30 feet for the road and relocated some residents. But with construction delayed, many continued living there. Now, the sudden 40-feet marking by PWD has brought more houses and shops under threat, causing strong opposition. Residents, who have lived there for years, fear sudden demolition will leave them without shelter. It’s important to note that the administration is offering rehabilitation by giving affected families 1BHK houses. However, many argue the houses are too small for their joint families and worry about losing their livelihoods, as many run