Jammu, Dec 20: Minister for Revenue, Relief and Rehabilitation Raman Bhalla today asked the National Highway Authority of India (NHAI) to ensure timely completion of road widening and other projects along the Jammu – Srinagar  national highway considering  the larger benefit of public of the twin regions.
 Bhalla was addressing a meeting of officers convened to review the progress in the land acquisition process for widening of National Highway AI.
 He stressed upon the Collectors to ensure prompt disbursement of compensation to the people in whose favour awards have been finalized. This, he said will pave the way for carrying out the widening works smoothly. He said the compensation amount accruing for State land should be deposited in the Government Treasury.
 Bhalla directed them to dispose of the assessment cases of those structures falling in the alignment of the roads expeditiously and finalize the awards. He urged upon the officers to give first priority in solving land compensation cases of those whose land was acquired for construction of various projects on Srinagar division 4-lane project executed by NHAI from Banihal to Srinagar districts. He asked them to extend full cooperation to NHAI to complete the ongoing projects well in time.
 The Minister also said that the disbursement made on the basis of the final award should be released to the NHAI so that the balance amount is released. He asked to pursue the cases where litigation has taken place and get the stays vacated to catalyze land acquisition cases and facilitate Collectors in issuing final awards.
 For shifting of social forestry closures and public utilities, he asked the officers of respective departments to cooperate with the NHAI so that the road widening project does not suffer.
 Bhalla asked for expeditious assessment of acquired land and other details so that due compensation was given to the claimants. He asked the officers to show results in speedy disposal of pending cases of the compensation, adding that there was no constraint of funds. He said aim of the Government was to solve revenue related problems of the people by adopting simplified methods.
 Regarding construction of flyovers at Kali Bari and Greater Kailash, he asked the NHAI to immediately start the projects to minimize traffic jams in these areas.
 To facilitate smooth movement of visiting tourists and pilgrims in the State, the Minister said instructions have been issued for early submission of DPR to NHAI for installation of High Mast Lights and Street lights on Sidhra-Kunjwani stretch. He asked the NHAI to handover the maintenance work of landscaping and plantation on road dividers from Satwari to Kunjwani via Sidhra to JMC and registered NGOs. 
 For construction of Rotary at Kunjwani Chowk, it was apprised that the construction work on the project would start soon for  its early completion before February 2012.

Lastupdate on : Tue, 20 Dec 2011 21:30:00 Makkah time
Lastupdate on : Tue, 20 Dec 2011 18:30:00 GMT
Lastupdate on : Wed, 21 Dec 2011 00:00:00 IST