JAMMU, Jun 13: Mission Statehood President Sunil Dimple on Friday led a massive protest rally on the Amphalla-Janipur High Court road for the second consecutive day, demanding the construction of a circular ring road and the introduction of a metro rail service to address growing traffic congestion in Jammu city.
Hundreds of traders, market association presidents, residents and citizens joined the protest, expressing strong opposition to the proposed flyover project. The protesters urged the government to reconsider the project and instead focus on developing alternative infrastructure that would not affect existing businesses and residential areas.
Addressing the gathering, Sunil Dimple said that for the last two decades he has been advocating a comprehensive ring road plan and a metro rail proposal for Jammu. He claimed that the proposed projects could be implemented at a comparatively lower cost, without causing displacement or requiring compensation for affected residents and traders.
Dimple demanded the construction of an exclusive circular ring road from Amphalla and Manda to Janipur High Court, extending to Lakkar Mandi, Roop Nagar, Bantalab and up to Akhnoor. He also called for the introduction of a metro train service connecting Manda, Roop Nagar and Akhnoor to ease traffic pressure and improve public transportation.
Appealing to the media, Dimple requested extensive coverage of the demand, stating that the proposed ring road and metro project would help solve traffic problems without causing any loss to long-established residential and commercial establishments. He emphasized that many residents and traders in the area have been conducting their businesses for over 70 years.
He further urged the government to initiate dialogue with traders, residents and all stakeholders before approving any major infrastructure project. According to him, public consultation is essential to ensure that development projects do not adversely impact local communities.
Warning against the proposed flyover alignment, Dimple alleged that it would adversely affect the livelihood of lakhs of traders, residents and their families living in Amphalla, New Plot, Tali Morh, Janipur, Roop Nagar and Bantalab areas.
Among those who participated in the protest were Daleep Singh, Ricky Bhasin, Farooq Shah, Nazir Ahmed, Vikas, Pama Shah, Sanjay Nagraj, Rajinder Gupta, Pt. Sunil Sharma, Vijay Khajuria, Babb Kumar, Jagdish Gupta, Shami, Vinay Agarwal, Abhishek Khajuria, Happy Gupta, Reshi Baba, Babu Barber, Papu Virdi, Vijay Virdi, Mohinder Kumar and several others.
The protesters reiterated their demand for an alternative road and metro connectivity plan, asserting that development should take place without affecting the livelihoods of local residents and traders.