A determined homeowner in China refuses to relocate, forcing construction crews to build a motorway around his house.
Homeowner refuses to move despite motorway construction
A determined homeowner in China has refused to relocate, forcing construction workers to build a motorway around his house.
Huang Ping, a resident of Jinxi, southwest of Shanghai, turned down compensation and alternative housing options.
Now, his home stands isolated, surrounded by towering motorway walls.
Authorities offered Huang a compensation package worth $231.32. They also provided three alternative housing choices. Despite this, he refused to move, citing dissatisfaction with the offer.
Negotiations between Huang and the Jinxi County Party Committee dragged on for months. In the end, no agreement was reached.
The impact of the motorway on his daily life
With the highway under construction, Huang’s home now sits in the middle of a busy work zone. His roof is almost level with the motorway. Construction materials are scattered around, and dust fills the air.
Huang takes his 11-year-old grandson to the town center each day to escape the chaos.
Additionally, they also return home only after construction crews have finished work.
A home trapped between motorway walls
Aerial photos show the house resembling an eye, completely surrounded by concrete barriers. Workers built high walls to shield the house from debris. However, the walls frequently vibrate due to construction activity.
Locals have nicknamed Huang the “strongest nail house owner” for his defiance. The unusual sight has also attracted curious visitors eager to take photos.
However, homeowner regrets his decision
With the motorway set to open in spring, Huang is beginning to have second thoughts.
“If I could turn back time, I would agree to the demolition conditions they offered,” he admitted.
He added: “I regret it a bit.”
Additionally, he also fears the noise and vibrations will worsen once traffic starts flowing.
As he now faces an uncertain future, his once-proud stand has turned into a lingering regret.
Another Chinese homeowner refuses to vacate his home in a dispute over compensation
Huang Ping is not the first person to refuse to move despite motorway construction.
Previously, another man in China also refused to relocate even as a motorway was built around his house.
Fai Fu, a 62-year-old resident of Henan Province, refuses to allow his three-story house to be demolished.
He also claims the government’s compensation offer is insufficient and has chosen to stand his ground.
The construction of the motorway began over two years ago.
It is a multi-million-pound project designed to ease congestion in suburban areas. Despite the progress, Fai’s home remains untouched, delaying the project’s completion.
The motorway is built around the homeowner’s property
The road passes straight through Fai’s four-bedroom home, creating a bizarre sight amid the ongoing construction. Bulldozers remain stationed nearby, waiting for a resolution.
To assert his rights, Fai has planted a Chinese flag outside his home.
This act serves as a reminder to developers that they must follow legal procedures before proceeding with demolition.