JAMMU, Aug 22: Mission Statehood president Sunil Dimple, along with hundreds of traders, led a strong protest rally against the proposed flyover on the Amphalla-Janipur High Court Road. The protesters raised objections to the approved flyover map and design and the sanctioning of tenders for its construction, alleging that traders and local residents had not been taken into confidence.
Addressing the gathering, Sunil Dimple appealed to traders, residents and media representatives to join a mass protest rally scheduled for Monday, August 24, at 11:30 am against the proposed flyover construction on the New Plot-Janipur High Court Road. He urged the people of the area to unite and oppose what he described as a project that could adversely affect local businesses and residents.
Dimple alleged that the flyover map and design had been approved and tenders sanctioned without adequate consultation with stakeholders, traders and residents. He claimed that no notices had been served to affected shopkeepers and residents before the process was initiated.
He further alleged that government agencies had started demarcation work and marking areas inside shops for possible dismantling, besides conducting soil-strength testing on the road in preparation for the proposed construction. He demanded that the authorities first hold consultations with affected stakeholders before proceeding with the project.
Dimple appealed to the Lieutenant Governor and Chief Minister to consider constructing an alternative ring road from Amphalla-Manda to Janipur High Court, Roopnagar and Bantalab up to Akhnoor. He also demanded the introduction of a metro rail service from Amphalla-Manda towards Akhnoor, stating that such connectivity projects could improve transportation without adversely affecting the livelihood of traders.
He claimed that the proposed flyover could also affect underground infrastructure, including the sewerage network and recently laid water-supply pipelines. He expressed concern that the construction of flyover pillars could damage essential utility networks serving a large number of households in the area.
Dimple announced that a massive protest rally would be held on August 24 and warned that the agitation would continue through protests, rallies, dharnas and hunger strikes if the authorities proceeded with the project. He also said that a Jammu bandh could be considered as part of the campaign to oppose the proposed construction.
He appealed to traders and residents to unite and participate in the protest against the proposed flyover plan. Among those present were Jagdish Gupta, Happy Gupta, Rahul Sharma, Raji Khajuria, Bunty, Gulshan Kumar, Shubam, Pinka, Sonu, Depu, Sanjay Nagraj and several other traders’ leaders and market presidents.