Rly land case: Hope intertwines with anxiety at Haldwani locality after SC order

Nainital: Mixed emotions were running high in Haldwani after the Supreme Court directed officials to organise special camps from March 19 to March 31 to facilitate housing applications for residents of Banphoolpura facing displacement in the railway land dispute. While the order, delivered Tue, has temporarily shielded over 5,000 families, mainly from the Muslim community, from immediate eviction, uncertainty continues to weigh heavily on the community.The apex court had asked those occupying over 30 hectares of railway/state land in Haldwani to apply for houses under the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (PMAY). It declined their plea for in-situ rehabilitation, noting that additional land was required for expansion of the railway station.
Ishrat, a resident (who asked to be identified by her first name), said the timing of the camps has added to unease. "The Muslim community is observing Ramadan, and Eid falls on March 19. Setting up camps during this time has created fear and apprehension," she said.Eighty-year-old Sayyad Nadeem expressed confusion over what the order meant in practical terms. "There is still no clarity. People like us, who are not educated, do not fully understand what exactly the court has said. Are we being relocated? Will there be compensation? Or is this only a delay?" he asked.For many families, the issue is deeply personal. Mukhtiyar Ahmed, a local shopkeeper, said generations of his family have lived in the area. "Our great-grandparents lived here, our children were born here. At least now our documents will be checked. We hope we will get our due," he said.Shabana, 40, said the fear of sudden demolition had unsettled households for months. "We were terrified of abrupt eviction. We only hope the govt ensures proper resettlement if relocation is happening," she said.Residents also pointed to the impact on children. An elderly local said the uncertainty has disrupted studies and created psychological stress. "We want a secure future with dignity—whether here or somewhere else," he said.Meanwhile, district magistrate Lalit Mohan Rayal on Wed evening convened a coordination meeting with officials from Indian Railways, municipal corporation, district development authority and rural development department at the Haldwani camp office to initiate preparatory measures."Once the formal copy of the court order is received, all departments would work in coordination to implement the directions within the stipulated time frame," he said.