JAMMU, Oct 8: President of Mission Statehood Jammu Kashmir Sunil Dimple today led a protest rally against the proposed construction of a flyover on the Amphalla–Janipur road, warning the government that failure to stop the project would trigger a mass agitation involving traders, residents and market associations.
Addressing protesters, Dimple alleged that the BJP was pressuring government agencies to expedite the flyover construction process and claimed that efforts were underway to obtain No Objection Certificates (NOCs) from various departments, including Sewerage and PDD, for the project.
Dimple alleged that elected representatives, including city MLAs and MPs, were approaching and pressuring departments to facilitate the required clearances. He also claimed that preparations were being made for widening the existing road by around 30 feet on both sides to facilitate the proposed flyover project.
Strongly opposing the construction, Dimple said traders and residents of Bakshi Nagar, Amphalla, New Plot, Janipur and Roop Nagar were against the project, which he claimed would adversely affect the old Jammu city areas.
He demanded that the government place the complete plan and blueprint of the proposed flyover in the public domain, maintaining that residents and stakeholders should be taken into confidence before proceeding with such a major infrastructure project.
Instead of constructing flyovers through densely populated areas, Dimple urged the Lieutenant Governor and Chief Minister to consider developing a ring road connecting Amphalla Manda, Janipur, High Court, Roop Nagar, Bantalab and Akhnoor. He also demanded initiation of metro train connectivity from Amphalla Manda towards Akhnoor as an alternative long-term solution to traffic congestion.
Dimple also accused the Jammu Municipal Corporation (JMC) of harassing traders by issuing notices, sealing shops and conducting demolition drives. He said Jammu’s traders were already facing difficulties due to poor business conditions and claimed that the lifting of goods and enforcement drives were adding to their problems.
He appealed to the authorities to immediately stop what he termed unnecessary harassment of traders and engage with market associations before taking further action.
Dimple reiterated that the government should reconsider the flyover project and warned that if the construction process was not stopped, Mission Statehood Jammu Kashmir would intensify its agitation and mobilise traders, residents and market associations across the affected areas.
Among those present during the protest were Daleep Kumar, Ricky Bhasin, Vikas, Deepak, S. Kala Singh, Jagdish Raj Gupta, Raj Kumar Gupta, Gulshan Gupta, Sonu Agarwal, Rahul Sharma, Shami Gupta and Rohit Gupta, besides presidents and representatives of various market unions.