Manjit criticises NHAI for traffic jams on Jammu-Pathankot highway

Samba, Oct18: Apni Party Provincial President Jammu and former minister, S. Manjit Singh on Wednesday criticized NHAI authorities for allegedly harassing commuters during hours-long frequent traffic jams on the Jammu-Pathankot highway from Vijaypur to Bari Brahmana in Samba district.
The former minister said this in a meeting that was organized here in Samba to discuss public issues, the party said in a statement. The meeting was also attended by District President Samba, Raman Thappa, Lovely Mangol, and others.
During the meeting, Manjit Singh said, “The commuters are compelled to face difficulties by the NHAI authorities because of ongoing unprofessional widening work that is posing a threat to the lives of the people. The work on the highway has been sub-let to the contractors by the NHAI who are unprofessional and pose a threat to the commuters. The work has also caused great inconvenience to the commuters with frequent traffic jams for over 4 hours on the stretch from Vijaypur to Bari Brahmana.”
Singh said that the civil administration should seriously look into the issue and handle the issue after speaking to the NHAI which has failed properly to work on widening work without causing harassment to the commuters and businessmen.
Manjit said that the unprecedented traffic that continues for hours together from Vijaypur to Bari Brahmana has become a problem for the people, especially in the wake of the Navratri festival and marriages.
He demanded the intervention of the civil administration and traffic police to end the harassment of the commuters.
Meanwhile, the Apni Party leader welcomed dozens of youth into the party fold and lauded their decision. He said that the youth joined the party as they were impressed with the vision of the Apni Party leadership and agenda of equitable development.