Jammu, Oct 21: Apni Party Provincial President Jammu and former minister S Manjit Singh on Saturday condemned NHAI for serving notices to the shopkeepers that would displace them from Nai Basti, Satwari. He also expressed concern over the adverse condition of the Jammu-Pathankot highway from Vijaypur to Jammu.
In a statement issued here, the former minister said that the NHAI authorities initiated widening and other related highway construction work/flyovers without considering the consequences on the local businessmen in Samba and Jammu.
“The NHAI has adopted an unprofessional approach while furthering the construction work of the highway from Vijaypur, Bari Brahmana, Kunjwani, Satwari and other areas. A mess has been created on the highway by the NHAI with their authority’s approach,” he said.
Recalling the difficulties faced by the people along the Jammu-Pathankot highway in Samba district; he said that the shopkeepers in Nai Basti-Satwari have been on the verge of displacement because of the notices served to them by the authorities regarding the construction of the highway/flyover.
“These shopkeepers were given compensation that was not at par with the market value. The NHAI has taken over their shops/commercial land which has compromised their future and source of earning. It was important that these shopkeepers should have been given adequate compensation at par with the market value,” he added.
Singh also demanded that the NHAI should rehabilitate the shopkeepers and all those whose land came under the widening of highway in Jammu, Samba and Kathua by providing them with alternative suitable land so that they can earn their livelihood and construct their houses.
The Apni Party leader said that the unilateral decision of the NHAI has sparked anger among the people against their policies. “Already people are annoyed with the continuous illegal collection of toll tax at Sarore Toll Plaza even after the long traffic jam from Vijaypur to Bari Brahmana and then at Kunjwani due to ongoing work,” he reminded.
He said that the NHAI should provide facilities and compensate people whose land is being acquired for the widening or construction of highways.
“The NHAI is collecting revenue in the hundreds of crores from the commuters but providing them with no facilities. If things continue, the Apni Party would be forced to come on the roads for the rights of the people,” he warned.
