NHAI finalises 1st phase alignment of road four-laning work in Nurpur

Rajiv Mahajan

NURPUR, DECEMBER 18

The National Highways Authority of India (NHAI), after bringing certain modifications, has finalised the alignment of the first phase of the Pathankot-Mandi highway four-laning project from Kandwal to Mao falling in the Nurpur section. As per the official information, 3,781 persons are being affected in 31 revenue mohals in which 933 private buildings, including houses and business establishments, have been acquired in the papers by the NHAI for the construction of the four lane project.

As per the revised alignment of the project, the width of the road will be 35 meter at Kandwal, 40 meter at Pacca-Tyala and 60 meter at Nagabari where a toll plaza will be set up. The width will be between 40 and 45 meter at Bassa, 35 and 40 meter at Chhatrolli and 32 and 35 meter at Jassur and Jachh. A flyover has been proposed at Jassur. It will be 32 meter broad at Bodh where a chowk has also been proposed.

A bypass for Nurpur town will be constructed from Bodh to Badni on the outskirts of the town and its width has been proposed to be maximum 60 meters. From Badni to Mao (Jonta) the road width has been planned as 45 meter. The existing Pathankot- Mandi National Highway-154 is being merged into the proposed four lane project

Meanwhile, land acquisition rate of Rs 1,680 per sq m announced in the award letter for the affected persons of Kandwal and Raja ka Bagh mohals on November 28 has triggered protests. The affected persons demanded a fair compensation.

Vijay Heer, general secretary and Sudarshan Sharma, senior vice president of the samiti, while terming the announced award letter, a death warrant for the four lane-affected persons, alleging that the Competent Authority Land Acquisition (CALA), Nurpur, designated by the NHAI had grossly ignored the provision of the section 26 of the Land Acquisition, Rehabilitation, and Resettlement (LARR) Act-2013 while determining the land acquisition rate.

“The provision envisages that the collector before initiating any land acquisition proceedings in any area will take steps to revise, update the market value of the land on the basis of prevalent market rate in that area. The CALA has undertaken clerical calculation simply on the basis of circle rate which is contrary to the objective of fair compensation as laid down in the Act,” they lamented.

Sources reveal that following public outcry the authorities have put on hold the award letter issued for the affected persons of Kandwal and Raja ka Bagh mohals.

The SDM Nurpur-cum-CALA Surinder Thakur said the grievances of the affected people would be addressed within the framework of specified rules of LARR Act.