UJJAIN: A large group of people clashed with police in Ujjain at the spot where a portion of the Shahi Masjid is proposed to be demolished as part of a road-widening project, news agency ANI reported on Monday.Heavy police force remains deployed in the area.The situation reportedly turned tense when some unidentified individuals began pelting stones in the area. Police personnel intervened to bring the situation under control and fired tear-gas shells to disperse the crowd.The confrontation took place as the Ujjain Municipal Corporation started removing the mosque portion falling within the proposed road alignment for the widening project ahead of Simhastha 2028.Rapid Action Force (RAF) personnel are also present at the spot.272 structures have been marked for demolitionEarlier, Madhya Pradesh chief minister Mohan Yadav intitaed various develoment works in Ujjain with the demolition activity carried out at his ancestral home.272 structures have been marked for demolition as part of a road-widening project in Ujjain ahead of the Simhastha 2028 fair.Speaking on the occasion, Yadav said the demolition of his childhood home carried personal significance, but was necessary for the larger cause.“This is the place where I grew up, playing and running around, and now I am stepping forward to dismantle it with my own hands. It certainly has an emotional impact. However, if it is necessary for the administration and essential for the Simhastha, then this sacrifice must be made. I am satisfied that we are all doing this together,” he said.He added that the gesture was meant to set an example for residents whose properties were also being affected by the project.“The entire state and the country are watching this. People are demolishing their homes willingly and happily, dedicating themselves to the cause so that others may benefit greatly,” he said.Ujjain Municipal Corporation Chairperson Kalawati Yadav explained the scale of preparations underway for the upcoming religious gathering, as it is one of the biggest spiritual gatherings that happens once every 12 years.“In 2028, Ujjain will host the Simhastha Mela, one of the world’s largest spiritual gatherings, held every 12 years on the banks of the Shipra River. Extensive preparations are underway, including around 29 kilometres of new ghats, a diversion project, dams and other infrastructure works to improve the city. With millions of devotees expected, road widening has become essential,” she said.The road-widening initiative forms part of the broader infrastructure overhaul being undertaken in Ujjain to accommodate the massive influx of pilgrims expected during the Simhastha Mela in 2028.(With inputs from ANI)
