Govt committed to rehabilitate families affected due to airport expansion: Bhalla

Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Dec 30: Minister for Revenue, Relief and Rehabilitation Raman Bhalla has said that Government is committed to ensure proper rehabilitation of displaced families (DFs) to be affected due to widening of Jammu airport.
This was stated by the Minister while interacting with the residents of Belicharana village after reviewing the progress of shifting of public utilities.
Mr. Bhalla said that the expansion is being taken after the announcement of Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh during his visit to Jammu. The expansion and upgradation of Jammu Airport will increase its landing surface and passenger-holding capacity from 200 to 700 besides setting up of hangers and expansion of the airport building and its premises.
In this connection, the Minister said that Government has acquired 6.62 acres of additional land for construction of terminal building and a residential complex. He directed the accompanied officers to expedite the work for shifting of public utilities to proper place so that the residents do not face any inconvenience.
Mr. Bhalla said that Government of India has already released first installment the project to start work immediately. He said that Government has cleared the pendency of land compensation of different departments, Army authorities, payment to PWD for diversion of road to warehouse, shifting of D-9A channel of Irrigation Department, Electricity Maintenance and Rural Electrification (E&MRE) wing for shifting of 132 KV transmission line and other utilities.
Later, Mr. Bhalla also visited Qasim Nagar in Goswami Basti and inspected the ongoing construction work of Multipurpose Community Hall, coming up at an estimated cost of Rs. 72 lakh.
He asked the JMC engineers to complete the project within stipulated time frame for its early use. He said with the completion of hall, the residents of Qasmin Nagar and Bahu Fort and its adjoining areas would be able to use the place by arranging their social as well as religious functions on nominal fee. He said Government has prepared a new comprehensive plan to meet the day-to-day requirement including basic amenities.