Srinagar, Apr 3: The road widening project for the Dalgate-Zakura track has become a nightmare for the inhabitants of Khayam Chowk who accused the administration of forcibly trying to acquire their property without paying due compensation in time.
 Locals alleged that the authorities were asking them to vacate their properties without getting compensations. Muhammad Sultan, whose house is feared to be demolished, said: “The authorities are giving us meager amount as compensation.” “How can we purchase new house when the rate of compensation is low?” he argued.
 Sultan said: “We are demanding that the government should give us 50 percent of our compensation before demolishing of houses. But authorities first demolish our houses and then they are making us wait for receiving compensation.”
 “Tell me where will I go if my house is demolished, I have daughters where will I carry them?” Sultan argued adding “I am not against demolition but authorities should give us compensation on time so that we can construct or purchase new house.”
   Some of the inhabitants say they are being paid less for their rehabilitation. “It is total injustice that we are being deprived of our rights. If the authorities have to demolish our houses in return they have to give us compensation as per the market value,” said Bashir Ahmad, a local flanked by others.
  He added: “Present value of one kanal of land in Khayam area is around Rs 2 crore that is (Rs 3676 per feet). But we are being paid only 40 lakhs per kanal (Rs 735 per feet).”
 “If government cannot afford to pay us according to market price, then they have no right to take our property,” the residents said.
 Despite repeated attempts the concerned couldn’t be contacted for comments. Meanwhile the locals have appealed the local MLA Shamima Firdous and Divisional Commissioner Dr Asgar Hassan Samoon to look into the matter.

Lastupdate on : Tue, 3 Apr 2012 21:30:00 Makkah time
Lastupdate on : Tue, 3 Apr 2012 18:30:00 GMT
Lastupdate on : Wed, 4 Apr 2012 00:00:00 IST