Dehradun, June 29 -- The demolition of shops in the historic Inamullah Building has begun as part of a road widening project between Saharanpur Chowk and Tehsil Chowk, with authorities marking multiple shops for removal. The road is set to be expanded to 24 metres in width, which officials claim will help reduce traffic congestion in the city.

However, this move has evoked strong criticism from both local shopkeepers and social activists, who argue that simply widening roads and cutting trees is not a sustainable solution to Dehradun's traffic problems.

Social activist Anoop Nautiyal, speaking to Garhwal Post, asserted, "The government must shift its focus from tree-cutting and expressway construction to developing a multi-modal public ...