Hundreds march in Dehradun against Rispana, Bindal elevated road projects

Dehradun: Hundreds of daily wage workers and social activists marched in Dehradun on Saturday, demanding that the proposed Rispana and Bindal elevated road projects be scrapped, alleging that they would leave thousands of slum residents facing an uncertain future. Participants pledged to continue their struggle for constitutional values and people’s rights.

Representatives from labour settlements across the city, along with members of opposition parties and social organisations, marched peacefully from the Babasaheb Ambedkar statue at Clock Tower to Gandhi Park. The march coincided with the 96th anniversary of the Tiladi massacre of 1930, in which 18 people were killed in firing by soldiers of the erstwhile Tehri state. Participants paid homage to the martyrs of the Tiladi rebellion and garlanded the statues of Babasaheb Ambedkar and Mahatma Gandhi.

Protesters alleged that the state govt was violating the rights of workers by failing to implement the Slum Areas Act, 2016, while pushing ahead with the elevated road projects. “For the past 10 years, assurances have been made before every election, but once the elections are over, laws are ignored and bulldozers are deployed. This time, people are demanding legal entitlements that can provide a lasting solution,” labour activist Vinod Badoni said.

Protesters also raised concerns over inflation, LPG shortages and difficulties faced by construction workers in accessing benefits under the construction workers board. They alleged that genuine workers were being denied benefits because registrations were not being accepted on the basis of certificates issued by registered unions.

“Projects such as the elevated road are being pursued in violation of the law and benefit only a select few companies, bureaucrats and politicians. However, public resistance has grown to the extent that even the Uttarakhand high court has raised questions regarding the Kanth Bangla issue,” protester Sunita Devi said.

The Tiladi massacre followed a satyagraha on May 30, 1930, against the forest policies of the princely state of Tehri Garhwal. Soldiers opened fire on unarmed protesters, including women and children. Official records put the death toll at 18, though historians believe the number may have been higher.