9 temples, mazar razed for Moradabad-Kashipur 4-lane highway project
Meerut: The National Highways Authority of India (
) along with the
demolished nine temples, a graveyard, and a mazar during a clearance drive for the Moradabad-Kashipur four-lane highway expansion in Moradabad's Dilari area on Sunday.
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The under-construction highway will connect Moradabad to Thakurdwara, Kashipur, and Haridwar in Uttarakhand.
The removal triggered protests in Usmanpur village where a Shiva temple was among the structures razed. SDM Preeti Singh and circle officer Rudra Kumar Singh led the drive, supported by a large police force and Provincial Armed Constabulary (PAC). The operation was conducted under heavy security due to the sensitive nature of the demolitions.
Throughout the day, officials used earthmoving machines to clear encroachments marked for removal. In Usmanpur, residents pleaded for more time to save the temple. Protesters raised slogans and objected to idols being lifted by JCB machines, calling the act disrespectful. However, police controlled the situation before it escalated. Rudra Kumar Singh said, "Some locals requested more time, but since the highway work was already delayed, the demolition proceeded as planned.
"
Preeti Singh added, "Notices were already issued to the owners of all religious structures and unauthorised constructions obstructing the highway. On Sunday, despite rain, the removal continued in the presence of a heavy police force. All structures were marked in advance by the tehsil administration."
She added the police were deployed to ensure security during the demolition and maintain law and order. "While a few protests occurred, the situation remained peaceful, and the law and order situation is fully under control," he added.
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The Moradabad–Thakurdwara–Kashipur section of National Highway 734 (NH-734) is undergoing a major upgrade to a four-lane highway under the engineering, procurement, and construction (EPC) mode. The project, with an estimated cost of 1,841.92 crore, spans 33.7km and aims to boost connectivity between Uttar Pradesh and Uttarakhand, including bypasses for Moradabad and Kashipur.
Once completed, the upgraded highway is expected to reduce travel time between Delhi, Meerut, Bareilly, and Moradabad, and provide improved access to destinations like Jim Corbett Tiger Reserve via Ramnagar. To make way for the construction, NHAI began acquiring land and removing unauthorised structures, including several religious sites such as those demolished on May 12.
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