A pre-Independence-era mazar in the Kichha area was demolished in the early hours of Saturday to make way for an ongoing road-widening project, officials said. The ‘Beni Mazar’ was located on the Haldwani-Bareilly road. Officials said the structure had been built illegally on land belonging to the Railways and the Public Works Department (PWD).
Officials said a joint team of the district administration and the Railways carried out the demolition at dawn. The structure was removed as it was obstructing the road-widening work. The mazar management committee had earlier removed a portion of the structure on its own.
Local residents said the mazar was important to people of all faiths, who used to visit the site to offer prayers. As per local folklore, the mazar was linked to a saint who lived in a hut in a nearby forest during the British era. It is believed that the saint once stopped a train after British officers ignored his warning while hunting near the Beni river.
The story says the train moved only after the officers apologised. However, there is no official confirmation of this account. After the saint’s death, he was buried near the railway line. Later, the mazar was constructed at the site.
Work on the Haldwani-Bareilly road-widening project is already underway. Recently, idols from a Kali temple along the same route were also shifted to clear the way for construction. Administration officials said all obstructions are being removed as per rules to ensure the project is completed on time.
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