LUCKNOW, July 16 -- With Prime Minister Narendra Modi likely to virtually inaugurate the redeveloped Aishbagh railway station on July 17, the Railway Protection Force (RPF) on Wednesday carried out a large-scale demolition drive to clear encroachments from railway land surrounding the station. The operation, which lasted nearly six hours, was conducted from the Aishbagh area to the Machhli Mandi stretch. Around 40 permanent structures were demolished, including encroachments adjoining shops allotted near Gate No. 3 (Special). Railway officials said nearly 4,200 square metres of land was reclaimed during the drive and immediately secured with fencing and barbed wire to prevent fresh encroachments. The exercise comes just two days before the Prime Minister's virtual inauguration, when several senior officials and public representatives are expected to be present at the station. RPF personnel from Lucknow Junction, along with the local RPF unit and civil police from Naka Hindola police station, participated in the operation using two earthmovers. While the railway described the action as part of its anti-encroachment campaign, the timing has drawn attention because complaints about illegal occupation of railway land in the area have remained unresolved for years....