Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Nov 25: Division Bench of the High Court comprising Chief Justice Ali Mohammad Magrey and Justice Vinod Chatterji Koul has disposed of a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) filed by Citizen Forum through its President RK Chadha with the direction that the authorities will ensure completion of the projects for the convenience of public and for de-congestion of traffic in Jammu city.
After hearing Advocate Aditya Sharma for the PIL whereas Advocate General DC Raina with AAG Ravinder Gupta for the UT, the DB observed, “that respondents from time to time had taken stand that the subject matter of widening of roads, construction of flyovers etc falls within the scope and powers of the Jammu and Kashmir Economic Reconstruction Agency”, adding “it has been further stated that looking to the traffic problems, widening of the B C Road was envisaged to make it 8 lane road. However, since the project involved acquisition of about 53 Kanals of land as also re-settlement and relocation, the same was shelved. The projects for the development of the city has also been stated to be financed by Asian Development Bank (ADB), wherever the land acquisition and resettlement issues are settled on the guidelines issued by the Government from time to time”.
“During the pendency of the instant PIL, this court noticed that proposal with regard to widening of B C Road-Amphalla-New Plot-Janipura Road was not reflected in any of the projects on account of involvement of huge amount of acquisition and relocation”, the DB said, adding “in terms of order passed on 18.03.2021, this court sought examination of the issues involved in this PIL with reference to being covered under the Master Plan directly or indirectly or the Smart City Project and the time frame”.
“Compliance report stands filed by the respondents, perusal whereof reveals that a detailed report was submitted by the Jammu Municipal Corporation to the Principal Secretary to Government Housing and Urban Development Department, regarding various projects under Smart City Plan. In the compliance report, it is stated that there is no proposal under the Jammu Smart City Project for construction of flyover from Shakuntla Chowk-Balwinder Chowk-Amphalla, Jammu connecting Jail Road and New Plot, Janipur. However, the Metrolite Project for Jammu City has been planned”, the DB said.
All the documents related to Jammu Metrolite viz DPRs have been approved by the Administrative Council, the Comprehensive Mobility Plan (CMP) and the Alternative Analysis Report have been forwarded to MoHUA, Government of India for appraisal and funding of the project.
The DB expressed satisfaction over the stand taken by the Government of Jammu and Kashmir in consultation with the Government of India in meeting the requirement of congestion of traffic in the city of Jammu and widening of roads as also the road connectivity as extended to large extent. “We feel that the approach adopted by the Government of J&K and Government of India in dealing with the interests of the people shall satisfy the petitioners to the extent they have projected in this PIL”, the DB added.
“There is no further requirement to proceed in this PIL, as such, the same shall stand closed. However, we hope and trust that the authorities will ensure completion of these projects for the convenience of public and for de-congestion of traffic in Jammu city”, the DB said.
Follow our WhatsApp channel