3,000 cops, internet shutdown and drones deployed for Jaipur anti-encroachment drive involving religious structures
Jaipur witnessed an unprecedented security lockdown on Monday as authorities deployed around 3,000 police personnel, suspended internet services and drone surveillance for a major anti-encroachment drive involving religious structures in the city’s Jagatpura area.
The joint operation, carried out by the Jaipur Development Authority (JDA) and the district administration, aims to widen a key road running parallel to the railway line near the Nandpuri Underpass from its existing 25-30 feet to the planned 80 feet. Officials said the expansion is crucial to ease congestion and improve connectivity between Malviya Nagar, Jagatpura, Pratap Nagar, Jagatpura Railway Station and Jaipur Airport.
As part of the latest phase of the drive, authorities moved to remove five religious structures — including a mosque, two temples, a satsang hall and a mazar — that fall within the road’s designated right-of-way.
The scale of the security deployment underlined the administration’s concerns over possible tensions. Apart from internet restrictions, movement was curtailed in sensitive areas, power supply was temporarily suspended in select localities and drone surveillance was used to monitor the situation. Officials also warned of strict action against individual or groups spreading rumours or provocative content that could disturb public order.
The proposed demolition of the Noorani Mosque emerged as the most contentious aspect of the exercise. Ahead of the operation, members of the mosque committee and local residents held a meeting to oppose the move, arguing that the structure predated the current road plan.
Congress MLA Amin Kagzi appealed for a compromise, suggesting that the mosque’s size could be reduced instead of being fully removed. Another Congress legislator, Rafiq Khan, maintained that the mosque was built in 1981 on privately purchased land and that development charges had been paid to the JDA years before the authority’s master plan designated the stretch as an 80-foot road corridor.
Authorities, however, said notices had been served to all encroachers and sufficient time had been given to them for voluntary removal. According to JDA Vigilance Wing Deputy Inspector General Anand Sharma, 134 encroachments were cleared during an earlier drive conducted on May 22.
Officials insist the road-widening project is a critical infrastructure initiative aimed at reducing traffic bottlenecks in one of Jaipur’s fastest-growing urban corridors. Once completed, the widened road is expected to provide an alternative route for commuters and significantly improve access to key transport hubs across the city.