JAMMU, Sep 12: Mission Statehood Jammu Kashmir President Sunil Dimple led a protest rally along with traders and residents of Bakshi Nagar, Amphalla, New Plot, Janipur, Roop Nagar and Bantalab against the proposed construction of flyovers in the Bakshi Nagar, Amphalla and Janipur areas.
Addressing the protesters, Dimple appealed to traders and residents to oppose BJP leaders whom he alleged were supporting the proposed flyover projects. He specifically named Jugal Kishore Sharma, Sat Sharma, Yudhvir Sethi and Arvind Gupta, and called upon people to socially boycott them over their alleged support for the projects.
Dimple accused the BJP of adopting what he termed a “double standard” on the issue, alleging that while the party raises concerns against the government at one level, the proposed highway and flyover projects are being pursued under the BJP-led Central Government and the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI).
He demanded the resignation of BJP leaders representing Jammu who, according to him, support the proposed flyover construction on the Bakshi Nagar and Janipur–High Court roads. He also claimed that roads were being widened by around 30 feet on both sides in connection with the proposed projects, raising concerns about their impact on local businesses and residential areas.
Dimple also issued an open invitation for a public debate on the proposed flyovers to Jugal Kishore, Leader of Opposition Sunil Sharma and Sat Sharma, seeking clarity on the plans and their likely impact on Jammu’s residents and traders.
He said traders and residents of the affected areas would not allow their concerns to be ignored and announced that his organisation would highlight what he described as the failures of the authorities before the public.
Dimple suggested that instead of constructing flyovers through densely populated areas of old Jammu, the government should develop an exclusive four-way circular ring road and introduce a metro rail connectivity corridor from Amphalla to Manda, Janipur High Court, Roop Nagar, Bantalab and onward to Akhnoor.
He claimed that traders and residents of Bakshi Nagar, Amphalla, New Plot, Janipur and Roop Nagar were opposed to the proposed flyover construction in the old city areas. He demanded that the government make the complete project plan and blueprint public, particularly details regarding the proposed rehabilitation of around 5,000 shopkeepers on the Janipur–High Court road and the residential properties that may be affected by the project.
Dimple maintained that the concerns of traders and residents should be addressed before any further action is taken on the proposed flyover projects and called for transparency regarding land acquisition, rehabilitation and the overall impact of the construction.
Those present during the protest included Jagdish Raj Gupta, Happy Gupta, Raji Khajuria, Raj Kumar Gupta, Gulshan Gupta, Sonu Agarwal, Rahul Sharma, Shami Gupta and Rohit Gupta, besides presidents of various market associations.