Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Nov 1: In the Public Interest Litigation (PIL) regarding Shakuntla-Janipur fly over, Division Bench of State High Court comprising Justice Alok Aradhe and Justice Tashi Rabstan today expressed displeasure over lack of coordination between the concerned departments.
When the PIL filed by Citizen Forum through its President R K Chadha came-up for hearing, Division Bench observed, “in compliance to the order passed by this court on 21.09.2017, the Deputy Commissioner Jammu has filed compliance report mentioning that award for acquisition of land was passed on 15.05.2004. However, possession of land measuring 3 kanals and 16 marlas for the purpose of widening of link road from Amb Ghrota to High Court Complex at Janipur has not been taken by the R&B Department”.
“It has also been submitted that possession of the land could not be handed over to the R&B Department (indenting department) as it has failed to deposit the amount of compensation”, the DB further observed, adding “we do not appreciate the apathy on the part of the respondents and we have no hesitation to say that the respondents have slept over the matter for 13 long years for taking over the possession, as a result of which public at large is suffering from traffic congestion problem while approaching this court”.
Advocate Aditya Sharma appearing for the petitioners further submitted that the fly over was to be funded by the Asian Development Bank and the project was conceived in the year 2008 and since then no concrete step has been taken.
Senior AAG sought two weeks’ time to file status report in the light of the award dated 15.05.2004. “R&B Department shall take the requisite steps in accordance with law for obtaining possession of the land covered under award dated 15.05.2004, failing which appropriate orders against the officers of the R&B shall be taken”, the DB said.
Even the Revenue and Police Departments were directed to co-operate with the R&B Department for taking over the possession of land in question. Nirmal Kotwal, Senior AAG submitted that the project report has already been prepared by the ERA for construction of fly over, which shall be finalized in the meeting scheduled to be held shortly.
“He shall also submit project report prepared by the ERA, which is to be finalized in the meeting”, the DB further directed.
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