Land acquisition comes in way of Parimpora four-laning project

Tribune News Service

Srinagar, January 28

Nearly six years after the work on 2.5-km Parimpora-Qamarwari road link was started, the stretch is yet to be fully upgraded to four-lane.

While the authorities tasked with the upgrade of the links say the delay was due to acquisition of land and subsequent rehabilitation of nearly 80 shopkeepers, the agitated locals are annoyed with the authorities concerned for the slow pace of work.

“We have been listening to one or another reason over the delay, but the fact is that for almost six years the government was unable to complete the upgrade of 2.5-km stretch,” said a Qamarqari resident.

“In the last six years, the work has been going on at snail’s pace and it looks like the government has no interest in completing the project,” he said.

Another resident said nearly half of the 2.5-km stretch has been upgraded to four-lane, but it has failed to bring relief to the commuters. “There are regular traffic jams at Qamarwari chowk.

Commuters have a tough time, especially during the morning and evening hours,” said Aamir, who always avoids the route during the peak hours.

The work on the road started was started in July 2010 and it was scheduled to complete in July 2012. But just 60 per cent of the work has been completed so far.

Chief Engineer, Road and Buildings Department, Satish Razdan said the major hurdle in the completion of the work was land acquisition and subsequent rehabilitation of the shopkeepers.

“We had initially decided to provide compensation of Rs 10 lakh to each shopkeeper, but they refused. We are now looking for a piece of land where these shopkeepers could be rehabilitated,” he said. “Once the hurdle is cleared, we will step up the work,” said Razdan.