A temple and a mosque were destroyed during an overnight demolition drive on Saturday amid heavy security arrangements in Haryana’s Faridabad to clear land for the upcoming Regional Rapid Transit System (RRTS) corridor, police said.
Mobile internet, dongle and SMS services have also been suspended in NIT Faridabad and adjoining areas for about 22 hours, from 12:30 am to 10 pm on Saturday, as a precautionary measure, the officers added.
RRTS driveway demolition drive
According to police officials, the temple and mosque were listed among the buildings identified for demolition.
As a result, the authorities decided to suspend internet and bulk SMS services, while banking and mobile recharge services remained unaffected.
Both the religious sites were demolished after midnight under tight security arrangements, officers told HT earlier.
Mobile internet services, including 2G, 3G, 4G and 5G, besides SMS services and dongle services, will remain suspended within a one-kilometre radius of the notified location in NIT area of Faridabad district, the official order said. The restrictions were due to remain in place from 12:30 am to 10 pm on May 30.
Why was the Internet cut off in the region?
There is also a possibility of disruption of public services, damage to public property and facilities, and breakdown of law and order in the NIT area of Faridabad district if internet services are misused to spread inflammatory content and false rumours, officials said.
Faridabad Police Public Relations Officer Yashpal Yadav said traffic was diverted to ensure that commuters do not face any inconvenience during the demolition work.
“Roads leading to Sainik Colony from Metro Mor via ESIC Chowk and Masjid Chowk, another road from DCP NIT office to Hotel Mulla and Namaste Chowk, which was earlier known as Chimani Bai Chowk, will also remain closed till 2pm on Saturday due to the ongoing demolition drive.”
RRTS corridor in Faridabad
Plans have been made to build 18 metro stations along the proposed Namo Bharat corridor connecting Gurugram, Faridabad and Greater Noida, officials told HT in March.
The proposal includes eight Metro stations in Gurugram and 10 in Faridabad along the Namo Bharat Road, they said. The proposed alignment has already received approval from the Haryana government.
The 64-km corridor will support metro and RRTS services on the same route. Of the total extension, about 52 km will be in Haryana, while the remaining 12 km will be in Uttar Pradesh.
With inputs from Debasish Karmakar
