Excelsior Correspondent
Srinagar, Nov 27: High Court today directed the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) to complete the four laning of the Qazigund-Srinagar National Highway by July 2016 and directed the Divisional Commissioner Kashmir to hand over the acquired land to NHAI within two weeks.
The Division Bench of Justice MH Attar and Justice Ali Mohammad Magrey directed the National Highways Authority of India to complete the four laning of Qazigund-Srinagar Section NH-44 by July 31, 2016.
Court said the authority (NHAI) must put to work the manpower and machinery to achieve the target. “No reason or case will be accepted in delaying the completion of the four laning of NH-44 by 31st July, 2016”, court said.
NHAI in its report submitted that the project was to be completed by June 2014, but the work was hampered due to delay in land acquisition, obstruction due to structures and trees and delay in approval of utility shifting estimate.
Court has also been apprised about the execution of work on Qazigund to Pampore which according to authorities is in full swing but in Lasjan area the possession of land has not been handed over by revenue authorities to NHAI and the expected date of completion is now fixed as July 31, 2016 subject to handing over of land.
Court directed the Divisional Commissioner Kashmir to ensure handing over of the acquired land to the NHAI within two weeks from today and file compliance report in this behalf before the next date, as there is huge delay in completion of work.
It has also been pointed out before the court that competent authority at the central level has already released an amount of Rs 43 crore but macadamization work has not been taken up till date.
Court has been informed that people in general and commuters in particular are subjected to huge inconvenience because of the huge traffic congestions. “The authorities shall discharge their duty to ensure free flow of traffic on all the roads. They shall apply their mind to all these important aspects of the matter and come up with a plan”, court observed.
Court also said that ours is a democratic state and in our constitution people are sovereign. All the authorities right from Prime Minister down to peon hold their posts in trust for benefit of the people. Every authority is bound to discharge its duty to secure the overall welfare of the people.
“It is deemed appropriate at this stage to direct Transport Commissioner and IGP traffic, to appear in person before this court on next date. These authorities shall come up with plan and suggestions so as to alleviate the sufferings of the people in general and commuters in particular to which they are subjected to because of the traffic congestion”, court directed.
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