| If work on the road to four lanes of the 125 ,6-km-long | | | | time. Work on Bhogpur-Mukerian stretch could not be |
| road to JalandharMadhopur Jammu and Kashmir, the | | | | completed since the NHAI opposed to compensation |
| border was supposed to be completed nine months | | | | for URMUR, Dala, Darapur, Rasoolpur, Chak Kasam, |
| ago, the National Highway Authority of India (NHAI ) | | | | Usmaan Shaheed, Dasuya, Chingar Kalan Kainth and |
| can take four more years to complete the task. | | | | the sub-division and Dasuya Chak Ala Baksh, Dugre |
| The delay and increased traffic on this narrow road | | | | Rajputana, Tikhowal villages Mukerian sub-division. |
| which has made him a killer zone to become accidents | | | | Although the SDM has reduced the compensation for |
| of the day. This is the only land for pilgrims to | | | | the villagers to the receipt of objections NHAI, the |
| Amarnath and Vaishno Devi or to reach Jammu and | | | | executing agency always preferred the approach of |
| Kashmir. Lakhs of the journey of pilgrims during the | | | | the top court to delay further the implementation of the |
| summer, increasing traffic density multiple. | | | | project. |
| The delay is attributed to a dispute between villagers | | | | "It is very difficult to commute every day on this road," |
| Dasuya and Mukerian subdivisions and NHAI over | | | | said Niranjan Singh URMUR village, adding the |
| disbursement of compensation for land acquisition. The | | | | accidents were frequent during the night. According to |
| Rs 600-crore project aimed to provide trouble-free | | | | some sources, nearly 200 people were killed on this |
| travel to Jalandhar Jammu since the road is crowded. | | | | stretch incomplete in the past two years. |
| The NHAI has approached the Supreme Court, | | | | SDM Dasuya Rahul Chaba said the NHAI had |
| describing the compensation on the top side. The top | | | | deposited Rs 50.86 crore with his office, according to |
| court, in its 11 August 2008, in order, said the tribunal | | | | the Supreme Court directions and the amount will be |
| have the question of compensation within four months, | | | | paid between the beneficiaries, after a final court |
| while the direction of the NHAI to deposit money with | | | | decision arbitrary. |
| the concerned SDM. | | | | NHAI project director RP Bangar said the private |
| Jalandhar divisional commissioner SR Ladhari, however, | | | | contractor hired to perform before the draft Bhogpur |
| still have the issue of compensation by December 10, | | | | to Pathankot section had left the work midway |
| 2008, under the orders of the court, sources said, | | | | because of delays and a proposal to invite new |
| adding the next date of hearing has been set for | | | | tenders was sent to higher authorities for approval. |
| February 4. Ladhari was not available for comment. | | | | "The work will start soon with the award of contract |
| According to some sources, work on the | | | | to a new contractor," he said, adding the court did not |
| 26-km-Jalandhar section Bhogpur was completed on | | | | resolve the question of compensation. |