Delhi-Amritsar-Katra Expressway: Affected Nai-Basti Shopkeepers to be resettled by JMC at Gole Gujral

Arvind Sharma

Jammu Tawi, July 12: After long deliberations and too much delay, the Government of the Union Territory (UT) of Jammu Kashmir (J&K) has finally decided to rehabilitate and resettle the shopkeepers and open space (Kiosk) occupants affected due to the upcoming Delhi-Amritsar-Katra Expressway.

In this regard, the Housing and Urban Development Department accorded approval for rehabilitation and resettlement of the affected shopkeepers/open space (Kiosk) occupants coming under the alignment of Delhi-Amritsar-Katra Expressway at Satwari and Nai Basti.

The market for the affected people will be developed by the Jammu Municipal Corporation on modern lines at Gole Gujral in Jammu outskirts.

The administrative approval is hereby accorded to the transfer of State Land measuring 3 kanals (Khasra No 746 min, village Gole Gujral, to JMC for development of the market, the order issued by the Housing and Urban Development Department reads.

A total of 33 shopkeepers of Satwari and Nai Basti will be rehabilitated and resettled by the government at Gole Gujral.

There will be rehabilitation of 33 shopkeepers (excluding 6 illegal shopkeepers) through establishment of a municipal market at the identified site at Gole Gujral, the order reads.

The funds for development of the market will be provided by the government to the JMC. Ex-gratia as permissible under NHAI Act will also be transferred to JMC all the required expenses for rehabilitation of the affected shopkeepers.

It may be mentioned here that the shopkeepers affected due to the upcoming Delhi-Amritsar-Katra Expressway have since long been protesting demanding their rehabilitation.

A high level committee under the chairmanship pf Divisional Commissioner has also been constituted to carry out the rehabilitation work peacefully and without any law and order issue.

This committee shall also ensure that the newly established market becomes properly functional with the basic infrastructure in coordination with all the line departments.