Gopal Sharma
JAMMU, Oct 6: Despite State High Court directive, the fate of much publicized BC Road-Rehari-Chungi-Amphalla Flyover Project has remained uncertain even after its initial sanction in 2007.
It is amazing that after the passage of 10 long years, the net result is ‘big zero’. Despite heavy volume of traffic on this most busy route of winter capital city, it has not remained a priority for the previous as well as this Coalition Government. Due to non-serious approach on the part of officials of ERA and District Administration, the project which was sanctioned in 2007 could not be taken up even after lapse of full term of five years. Even the land acquisition process was not completed and the main funding agency, Asian Development Bank de-sanctioned the project in 2013.
Ironically, the Government remained the mute spectator and let it happened without fixing responsibility on any official of ERA, Revenue or the District Administration for this major lapse. This important Flyover project worth Rs 80 crore was allowed to de-sanction and moreover, the Revenue authorities and allied agencies including R&B could not complete the land acquisition process involving 135 structures along this road stretch. Moreover, State Government failed to provide compensation component of Rs 35 crores, as its share for this Jammu centric important project.
The State BJP president Sat Sharma who is also MLA from Jammu West, had publically declared after being elected to State Legislature that BC Road-Amphalla and Canal Road- Flyovers will be his priority to provide big relief to the people of Jammu City. But unfortunately, no progress has been witnessed on these projects even after three years. It seems that these flyovers are non-priority for Jammu legislators and Ministers. The MLA when reminded of his commitment, claimed that ADB has again agreed for the funding of this project and ERA would again prepare project report shortly and this flyover was still his priority.
Highly placed sources told the Excelsior that BC Road-Rehari Chungi- Amphalla project was shelved in view of deliberate delay on land acquisition and the international funding agency, ADB had the precondition to bear the land acquisition cost by the Government, and the State showed less interest in completion of land acquisition process in time. The project was also said to be derailed by some vested interests in the political circles. The initial project cost was Rs 58 crore which was later escalated to Rs 80 crores.
Sources further disclosed that BC Road-Shakuntla Crossing-Rehari Chungi-Amphalla Flyover project and Jewel Chowk-Canal Road projects were prepared and forwarded to ADB for the funding, under Trench-I of Loan -II Sector of the JKUSDIP Scheme. Since the funding for the project was sanctioned in 2007 by the ADB, the other one could not be cleared for the reason best known to the people at the helm of affairs. For BC Road -Rehari Chungi- Amphalla flyover project, a compensation amount of Rs 35 crore was prepared and nearly 130 structures had to be fully or partially removed to acquire nearly 18 meter land including about 30 ft each on both sides.
The State Government had to pay the compensation part of the project and it was reluctant to pay the same. For the six long years, the Government failed to act and take a decision on the execution of project and ultimately, the ADB told the Government that since State is not interested, the project has been dropped. So this project was de-sanctioned in July 2013, as it was not seriously handled by the people at the helm of affairs.
Some insiders in ERA alleged that this project of much public importance fell victim to the political conspiracy. They said the ERA team conducted survey and it was found that out of the 130 structures, many people were found in possession of State land illegally. They were not supposed to get compensation of the land of which they were not the owners.
In fact, the project with the hiked cost of Rs 58.76 crore from Shakuntla Crossing to Rehari and Amphalla was dropped by ADB as the required land could not be made available for the project in time. If completed, it would have made free movement of vehicles from New Plot side and also towards old city at Mian Dido Chowk, with no scope of regular traffic jams at these three major bottle necks according totally free movement on highway.
Meanwhile, the sources revealed that in view of the increasing traffic congestion and to clear bottle necks on Civil Secretariat -Airport Road and also on BC Road-Rehari Chungi and Amphalla crossing, the Government contemplates to extend Bikram Chowk-Gandhi Nagar (Presentation Convent School crossing) flyover up to Satwari Chowk. The flyover will land about 500 meters ahead of Satwari Chowk on Airport – RS Pura Road while its other limb towards Pathankot National Highway will land almost at same distance ahead of Satwari crossing, ensuring hassle-free movement of the vehicles taking flyover route. ERA said to have formulated 2nd phase of this project. The compensation amount has been worked out to the tune of over Rs 100 crore.
Replying to a question, an ERA official said that Satwari Crossing and Main Stop Gandhinagar have become most congested points on Airport Road from City side moreover, BC Road, Rehari Chungi and Amphalla bottle-necks are also most trouble prone. Even the traffic problem has also compounded on Canal Road and Talab Tillo route. He disclosed that compensation amount for public is not covered in the funds provided by the international funding agencies and this has to be borne by the State Government. This is the pre-condition for releasing the funds. He said that with the completion of these two major flyovers, the traffic congestion would be minimised to larger extent.
He also revealed that new DPR for BC Road- Amphalla Chowk Flyover is being prepared and ADB will be providing the funds again. There has been escalation in the project cost and State Government must start land acquisition process before the take up of the work for its success.
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