Urban development

Documenting a new highway’s impact on roadside dwellers

The Great Asian Highway is a landmark project that aims to increase India’s connectivity with neighbouring countries and be a major boost to economic activity in the region. Approval has been granted and the work of highway expansion has already started around the city of Siliguri.

As the process of broadening the highway to four lanes has been initiated, roadside slums are being flattened to make space for the work. These settlements have illegally occupied the land for decades, with buildings ranging from ramshackle shelters to unauthorized concrete houses. The majority of its inhabitants live below the poverty line, and they are seeing bulldozers bringing down their homes, shops and other establishments. Their source of income has suddenly come to a halt.

Today, when road-building has become essential due to the increase in the volume of traffic, we must look for a more permanent solution for both the problems – not just the widening of the road, but also the economic rehabilitation of the poor. Authorities should ensure that the people dwelling on the roadside have somewhere better to go. Otherwise, after a few years, the roadside will be threatened again by the growing population.

Through my photographs I try to show that demolition takes down more than just

structures; it destroys people’s homes and the lives lived within them. Rebuilding that requires much more than the 30 minutes it takes for a house to come down.

Every demolition has a tragic aspect. I was saddened to see a mother holding her child in despair, worried about the uncertain future. The child, however, is oblivious of the situation as she is in her mother’s arm, which is still the most comfortable place in the world. I saw a little boy who has packed his toys and games and awaits his parents to take him to a new home. He only hopes to see his friends again. An old woman has seen lots of ups and downs in her life but never expected to go through this hopeless situation at this age when she is all alone. The only asset she holds is some memories of the past.

As people say goodbye to their houses, it will be the last time they will walk within the walls that have seen many tears and smiles and adventures over the years. It almost felt as if they were visiting a dying relative and saying their last goodbyes.

I try to show that demolition takes down more than just structures; it destroys homes and the lives lived within them