Now an all-out fight has started against the closure of Lower Mall Road, which is called the lifeline of the world famous Nainital, for almost a year. On the day of Independence Day, Maa Naina Devi Nainital Trade Board President Puneet Tandon has sat on an indefinite strike. He clearly says that now we don’t need assurances, we need roads.
Tandon’s movement is now getting widespread support in the city. Nainital Businessmen, local citizens and municipal councilors are continuously reaching the protest site and giving their support. Even amidst heavy rain, people are reaching the protest site and are expressing their confidence to support Tandon’s campaign shoulder to shoulder.
Protest will continue until demands are not met: Puneet Tandon
The protest site is no longer just a place of protest but seems to be becoming the center of the “Save Nainital” campaign. People say that Lower Mall Road, which has been closed for almost a year, has affected business, tourism and local life and now mere assurances will not suffice. Puneet Tandon said that many deadlines were given by the government, administration and PWD, but one deadline after another passed and the road is still in bad shape.
He claims that he has postponed his agitation four times on the assurance of the administration, but every time he was disappointed. He asked in a sharp manner, whose assurance should I trust now? Of the administration, of the government, of PWD, of the Chief Minister, of the Kumaon Commissioner or of the District Magistrate?
Tandon made it clear that this time he will not end the strike on the basis of any new date or verbal assurance. Until concrete action on their demands is seen on the ground, the indefinite strike will continue. He said that even a small patch of the road could not be repaired in a year, while the cracks were continuously increasing. If the problem is not resolved in time, its impact may further reach Upper Mall Road.
According to him, this fight is not just to open a road, but to save the business, tourism, environment and future of Nainital. Regarding starting the protest on Independence Day, Tandon said that the country is celebrating independence, but Nainital is still struggling with its fundamental problems. He said that the city, which is known for its natural beauty and heritage, will not be allowed to be harmed in the name of development.
Road issue took the form of a movement in Nainital
Here, under the leadership of councilor Jitendra Pandey, the movement is also getting political and social support by reaching the protest site and supporting the municipal councilors of Nainital. Along with the councillors, many political organizations, social organizations, businessmen and local citizens are also reaching out to Tandon and saying that he is not alone in this campaign to save Nainital.
Puneet Tandon also said in clear words, “I do not want to face defeat towards Nainital. We have to win.” Now it remains to be seen how long this indefinite strike, which started regarding the Lower Mall Road which has been closed for a year, forces the government and administration to take action. At present, the road issue in Nainital has taken the form of a movement and the public support continuously reaching the protest site is giving new strength to this movement.
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