JAMMU, Oct 24: Sunil Dimple, President of Mission Statehood, has sought the support of Congress Working President and former minister Raman Bhalla to oppose the proposed Amphalla-Janipur-Roopnagar flyover project, expressing concern over its potential impact on residents, shopkeepers and traders in the area.
During his interaction with Bhalla, Dimple urged the Congress leadership to support the affected people and press the government to reconsider the project. Bhalla extended his full support to the demand, describing the proposed flyover as a project that could adversely affect the livelihoods of residents and traders.
Bhalla said the government should explore alternative solutions to traffic congestion after consulting stakeholders and taking their concerns into account. He stressed that the interests of local residents, business establishments and traders must be protected while planning infrastructure projects.
Dimple demanded that the government make the detailed plan, blueprint and proposed alignment of the flyover available in the public domain. He alleged that residents and traders were experiencing stress and uncertainty over the possibility of demolition of their properties and commercial establishments.
Questioning claims that the flyover would be constructed on a single pillar, Dimple said the proposed pillar dimensions and road-widening requirements needed to be explained clearly to the public. He claimed that the pillars could occupy a substantial portion of the existing road, which he said was approximately 25 feet wide, and expressed apprehension that widening the road could lead to the demolition of shops, showrooms, houses and other buildings.
Dimple also alleged that marking had begun for widening the road to 30 feet on both sides in connection with the project. He called upon the government to clarify the proposed construction design and address the concerns of affected stakeholders before proceeding further.
As an alternative, Dimple demanded that the government consider developing a ring road connecting Amphalla Manda with Janipur High Court, Roopnagar, Bantalab and Akhnoor. He also called for the introduction of metro train services from Amphalla Manda to Akhnoor as part of a broader strategy to improve urban connectivity and ease traffic congestion.
Separately, a grand 27th Maa Sherawali Jagrata and a Vishal Langar were organised on Janipur High Court Road at Roriana Di Chapri, New Plot. Raman Bhalla, former minister Yogesh Sawhney, Congress leaders Manmohan Singh and Sunil Sharma, along with Jagrata Langar Committee organiser Sonu, participated in the religious programme and distributed langar prasad among hundreds of devotees.
Prayers were offered for peace, normalcy and communal harmony in Jammu and Kashmir.
The programme also provided an opportunity for Dimple to raise the concerns surrounding the proposed flyover with the Congress leadership and seek support for the affected communities.