Jamshedpur, April 23: In a move aimed at clearing the way for the redevelopment of Tatanagar railway station, local authorities in Jamshedpur demolished approximately 20 illegal homes built on railway land, officials said on Tuesday.
The demolition operation, led by the Tatanagar Land Department, targeted 18 houses at Kitadih Gadiwanpatti and two others behind the Khasmahal Jagannath Temple. The action was part of the broader plan to modernize key stations under Indian Railways’ station redevelopment initiative.
Residents of the affected homes had been notified 15 days in advance about the eviction, and the operation proceeded without incident, according to local authorities. The Railway Protection Force (RPF) and district police were present to maintain order.
“People had been living on the land for several years. This land reclamation was necessary before the redevelopment could proceed,” said a railway official involved in the operation.
The drive is a key step in the preparation for the redevelopment of Tatanagar station, which is set to modernize one of the busiest railway hubs in the region.
Tata Workers Union Seeks Extended Safeguard Duty for Steel Industry
In a separate development, the Tata Workers Union has expressed support for the central government’s decision to impose a 12% safeguard duty on five steel products, including hot rolled coil sheets and plates. However, the union is urging the government to extend the measure from its current 200-day duration to a full year.
The safeguard duty, effective from April 21, is aimed at protecting India’s domestic steel industry from an influx of cheaper imports.
“The union had taken the initiative for this… a memorandum was submitted to the PMO and INTUC President,” said union president Sanjeev Choudhary after a meeting with senior officials. He added that the union is advocating for a longer safeguard period to provide stability to the domestic steel industry and its associated sectors.
The meeting included key union members such as General Secretary Satish Singh, Deputy President Shailesh Singh, Treasurer Amod Dubey, and Vice President Sanjay Singh.
The Tata Workers Union believes that a 365-day safeguard duty would offer longer-term relief to the domestic market and its workers, which has been affected by a rise in imports.
