JAMMU, Jun 12: Mission Statehood President Sunil Dimple on Thursday led a massive protest rally on Janipur High Court Road against the proposed construction of a flyover from Amphalla to Bantalab via New Plot, Tali Morh, Janipur and Roop Nagar.
Hundreds of traders, market association representatives, residents and local citizens joined the protest, expressing strong opposition to the proposed project. The demonstrators raised slogans against the government and demanded immediate consultation with all stakeholders before any decision on the flyover is implemented.
Addressing the gathering, Dimple warned that the proposed flyover would severely impact the livelihood of traders and residents living along the route. He alleged that the project would adversely affect thousands of families dependent on businesses operating in the area for several decades.
“This flyover can only be constructed after passing bulldozers over my dead body,” Dimple declared, while threatening to intensify the agitation if the government proceeds with the project.
He further warned of calling a Jammu Bandh against the proposed flyover and claimed that traders were prepared to make every sacrifice to protect their livelihoods. “The traders are ready to sacrifice their lives to safeguard the future of their families and businesses,” he said.
Referring to information received from sources, Dimple claimed that tenders for the Amphalla-Janipur flyover are scheduled to be opened later this month and alleged that construction machinery has already been positioned for the project.
Demanding dialogue with all stakeholders, he urged the government to hold consultations with traders, residents and market associations before approving or commencing any construction work.
Dimple maintained that the proposed flyover would damage the commercial and residential character of several old localities, including Amphalla, New Plot, Tali Morh, Janipur, Roop Nagar and Bantalab. Instead, he reiterated his long-pending demand for the construction of an exclusive circular ring road from Amphalla-Manda to Akhnoor via Janipur and Roop Nagar, along with the introduction of a metro rail service on the route.
He warned that Mission Statehood would intensify its agitation through dharnas, hunger strikes and large-scale protests if the government failed to reconsider the proposal.
Several trader leaders and local residents namely Dev Raj, Vipan Mahajan, Mukesh Mahajan, Rakesh Sharma, Babu Singh, Ishar Das Sharma, Ram Kumar Das, Jetinder, Thoru Ram, Dheeraj, Muna, Ajay Sharma, Sanjay Nagraj, Vijay Virdi, Mohinder Kumar, Sachin Soi, Arjun, Manjeet and and many others also participated in the protest rally.