The boundary wall of the politically symbolic Tiwari Hata complex in Gorakhpur was brought down late Tuesday night to clear space for Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath’s Rs 2.5 billion Heritage Corridor project.

Once the residence of the late influential politician Harishankar Tiwari, the Tiwari Hata complex has returned to public focus following the arrest of his son and Samajwadi Party leader Vinay Shankar Tiwari in a money laundering case.

According to Public Works Department (PWD) executive engineer AK Singh, the demolition is targeting areas earmarked under the corridor plan. “Residents of the complex are also cooperating and assisting in the removal of structures,” Singh said.

The proposed 3.5-km-long corridor, extending from Dharamshala Bazar to Ghantaghar, will pass through heavily congested localities including Alinagar, Buxipur, and Reti Chowk. Officials aim to widen the road to 12.5 metres, with a total construction width of 16.5 metres. This has led to the marking of 194 buildings for partial demolition — including the Tiwari Hata wall.

However, the project has stirred anxiety among the local trader community. Around 105 traders, many of whom have operated as tenants for decades, face eviction without compensation. Authorities have made it clear that only registered landowners will be entitled to financial relief.

“Sale deeds are pending with 50 people, while formalities for 350 others have been completed,” Singh said. But those who’ve been long-time tenants — without ownership papers — will not be compensated.

The move has drawn political ire, with former Samajwadi Party spokesperson Keerti Nidhi Pandey alleging “politics of revenge.” He cited the construction of a parallel boundary wall and proposed drainage work as flashpoints. “This is no longer just an infrastructure issue. It’s turning into a political battleground,” he said.

Despite the criticism, PWD officials continue to assert that the demolition is a routine component of the Heritage Corridor blueprint, focused on decongesting traffic and improving urban connectivity.

While the project is expected to redefine the cityscape, unresolved compensation concerns and political undertones hint at a turbulent road ahead.