JAMMU, Sep 7: President of Mission Statehood Sunil Dimple led a protest rally of traders against the proposed construction of flyovers along the Bakshi Nagar, Shakuntala, Amphalla, New Plot, Janipur and Roop Nagar roads in Jammu.
The protesters raised objections to the ongoing preparatory activities reportedly being carried out for the proposed flyover project, including soil testing, road measurements, demarcation, marking of pillar points, map and design-related work and the tendering process.
Addressing the rally, Dimple claimed that traders, shopkeepers and residents of the affected areas were opposed to the proposed construction and expressed concern over its possible impact on commercial establishments and residential properties.
He alleged that the government and agencies involved in the project had not adequately consulted the stakeholders before undertaking the preparatory work. He further claimed that markings had been made at various locations, including the Janipur High Court road, and alleged that some markings had been made inside shops in connection with the proposed project.
Dimple demanded that the government place the details of the project and tender process in the public domain, including the agency to which the work has been allotted, the proposed design and map of the flyover, and details of measures to protect or compensate affected traders, shopkeepers, residents and property owners.
He also alleged that elected representatives Arvind Gupta and Yudhvir Sethi had supported the proposed flyover construction in their statements. Dimple urged the administration to hold consultations with traders, shopkeepers, residents and other stakeholders before proceeding further.
As an alternative to the proposed flyover project, Dimple demanded that the Lieutenant Governor and Chief Minister consider construction of a ring road connecting Amphalla-Manda with Janipur High Court, Roop Nagar, Bantalab and Akhnoor. He also called for initiating metro train connectivity from Amphalla-Manda towards Akhnoor.
Dimple expressed concern that construction involving pillars along existing roads could, according to him, affect underground infrastructure, including the sewerage network and recently laid water-supply pipelines. He urged the authorities to assess the impact of the project on existing civic infrastructure before taking further steps.
Warning of intensified agitation, Dimple said that if the proposed construction was not stopped and the concerns of stakeholders were not addressed, traders would launch a mass-based movement, including protests, rallies, dharnas and hunger strikes. He also warned that a Jammu bandh could be called as part of the agitation.
Several traders and market representatives participated in the protest, including Dev Raj, Vipan Gupta, Mukesh Mahajan, Rakesh Sharma, Depu Gupta, Das Ram, Ashu, Jeet Kumar, Himanshu Gupta, Jatinder Gupta, Thoru Ram, Nandu Lal, Sweety Kour, Neelam and Netu Kumari, among others.