JAMMU, Aug 24: Mission Statehood president Sunil Dimple led a protest rally of traders, residents and shopkeepers against the proposed construction of a flyover from Amphalla, New Plot and Tali Morh towards Janipur High Court Road and further areas.
Hundreds of traders, women and residents whose properties may reportedly be affected by the proposed project participated in the rally. The protesters opposed the approved flyover design and sanctioned tenders, alleging that stakeholders had not been taken into confidence and that notices had not been served to affected residents and traders.
Addressing the gathering, Dimple urged Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha and Chief Minister Omar Abdullah to hold consultations with the affected stakeholders before commencing construction. He questioned the government over the proposed rehabilitation and compensation plan for residents and traders whose houses, shops and showrooms could be affected.
Dimple also questioned the need to undertake a project that, according to him, could adversely affect the established residential and commercial areas of Amphalla, New Plot, Tali Morh, Janipur and adjoining areas.
He raised concerns over existing sewerage and drinking-water infrastructure in the proposed project corridor. Claiming that major sewerage and water-supply works had been undertaken in the area in recent years, he asked how these systems would be protected during construction and whether any damage would affect households connected to the networks.
The protest leader also expressed concern over the impact of the project on electricity infrastructure, saying that electric poles and supply lines along the proposed route could be affected. He sought a clear plan for protecting the livelihood of shopkeepers and tenants who may be displaced by the construction.
Dimple suggested an alternative traffic-management plan, including construction of a ring road connecting Amphalla Manda with Janipur High Court, Roop Nagar, Bantalab and Akhnoor. He also proposed introducing a metro rail connection from Amphalla Manda to Akhnoor, arguing that such alternatives could address traffic congestion without adversely affecting established businesses.
He alleged that demarcation work had already begun and markings had been made inside some shops for possible dismantling. He further claimed that soil-strength testing had commenced along the road despite, according to him, the absence of consultations with affected stakeholders.
Dimple announced that a mass agitation would be launched against the proposed project, including protests, rallies, dharnas and hunger strikes. He also said the organisation could call for a Jammu bandh if the government proceeded with construction without addressing the concerns of traders and residents.
He appealed to traders and residents to unite against what he termed an “anti-people” project and demanded that the government first hold detailed consultations with all affected stakeholders.
Among those present during the protest were Sweety Kour, Neetu Sharma, Neelam Kumari, Sapna Kumar, Vijay Sharma, Sachin Sohi, Kuldeep Kumar, Arjun Anand, S. Gurmeet Singh, Yash Sharma, Shubam Nagraj, Rakesh Sharma, Jeet Kumar and several other traders and market representatives.