after trees, chandigarh-bathinda highway to eat fertile land of 300 farmers

Four-laning of Zirakpur-Bathinda highway

Sangrur farmers oppose land acquisition

Allege the government chose the longest route to benefit politicians, traders; demand inquiry

Jupinderjit Singh

Tribune News Service


Sangrur, September 2

The four-laning project of the Zirakpur-Bathinda highway has run into a controversy with farmers of Sangrur seeking a CBI inquiry into the selection of the route. They allege that the proposed route has been chosen over two other routes of shorter length and which required no or little acquisition of land.


Nearly 300 farmers whose land will be acquired have threatened self-immolation as the move would mean loss of livelihood for them. Interestingly, the government has chosen the longest route from among three routes suggested by a private company which was asked to do a survey on the highway.


The company had suggested an elevated road on the existing 9 km highway which crosses through Sangrur city. This did not require acquisition of land, but city traders were opposed to it. The second route was a 10.5-km long bypass from the right side of the city. It required land acquisition. The third was a 12-km stretch, which required the maximum land acquisition. The government and the NHAI have chosen this stretch.


Alleging favouritism, Jagwinder, a farmer, has sent documents and a CD of the survey to the Centre and state government, seeking a CBI inquiry. He has alleged that the proposed route favours some politicians whose land would benefit from the bypass. On the other hand, nearly 300 farmers like him would be uprooted.


Farmers of Upli village in Sangrur have also objected to the move. The Sangrur administration has offered to listen to their objections.


Jagwinder has termed the government exercise inviting objections to the project from the public as a mere eyewash. "It is just a formality as the authorities have already allotted the tender to a Hyderabad-based company."


NP Singh, Executive Engineer (XEN), Central Works PWD, said the route was chosen on the basis of the feasibility study. "The route was approved after a thorough survey. Such projects are decided at the national level. There is no question of political or financial benefits to anyone".


He said it was not advisable to demolish shops in Sangrur. "We can't give curves here and there to save a motor pump or a house. The highway is of no use if the vehicles cannot maintain a certain speed. Besides, there is a provision for adequate compensation to the affected persons".


SURVEY SUGGESTS


Route 1: An elevated road on the existing 9-km-long highway which crosses through Sangrur city. No acquisition of land is required, but city traders are opposed to it

Route 2: Construction of a 10.5-km-long bypass from the right side of the city. This requires land acquisition

Route 3: A 12-km stretch which requires the maximum land acquisition
The government has chosen the last alternative

EOM

:First published in The Tribune dated September 3, 2012
http://epaper.tribuneindia.com/54946/The-Tribune/TT_03_September_2012#page/4/1