Pathankot-Mandi four-laning faces delay due to land hiccups

The Pathankot-Mandi four-laning is set to be delayed by a year or more because of slow land acquisition. Sources said the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) had completed the land acquisition process for only Chakki and 32 Miles, while for Chauntra-Narla, Narla-Mandi, and 32 Miles-Mattor, land was being acquired. Besides, the land acquisition between Paror and Chauntra is yet to start as land revenue documents for the package are not ready. It takes almost a year or more for the completion of land acquisition for such projects. It is also learnt that global bids for the first package between Chakki and 32 Miles are likely to be finalised. A notification under Section 3A of the National Highways Act, 1956, has also been issued for the package. The slow land acquisition process may take a year or more for taking over the possession of land on the 190-km stretch between 32 Miles and Mandi. The National Highways Authority of India had earlier planned to hold a stone-laying ceremony before December 31 this year. MP Shanta Kumar had invited Union Minister NitinGadkari to lay the stone. The main reason for the delay in acquiring land is lack of coordination between the state authorities and NHAI officials. Besides, the government had also failed to address the grievances of affected persons, whose land was being acquired.