VIJAYAWADA: Tension prevailed for a while on Bandar road near Poranki on Sunday when the residents took to the streets opposing the demolition of their houses and establishments by the officials of revenue, police and National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) for executing the road widening works of Vijayawada - Machilipatnam Highway (NH 65).
A few months ago, the revenue and NHAI officials launched the demolition drive on Bandar Road. On Saturday, when the officials roped in excavators and earthmovers to raze down the structures between Poranki and Tadigadapa stretch, the property owners joined hands against the authorities, demanding them to stop the demolition.
Heated arguments were exchanged between the officials and the property owners. Sensing trouble, police personnel in large numbers were deployed near Poranki to restore normalcy.
“The authorities have not notified us about the demolition drive. The proposed compensation is meagre as per the current market rate. Officials should revise the compensation and pay more money to the property owners based on the present market rate,” said Y Ranga Rao, one of the property owners.
According to the officials, as many as 90 buildings should be demolished on the stretch to widen the Bandar Road. Notices were served on the respective property owners before conducting the demolition drive, they said.
The officials assured to provide compensation to property owners as per the market rates in 2007. Later, the issue was settled with the intervention of higher officials and most of the apartments, including those of corporate colleges, houses and others were razed down.