Punjab

Land not acquired for bridge project

Construction of approach roads from Taunsa and Layyah is required

Irshad Hussain February 14, 2023

The structure remains incomplete due to some administrative hiccups though all the material and financial requirements have been fulfilled. photo:express

LAHORE:

The local administration has failed to acquire the land required for the construction of the Taunsa bridge approach roads.

According to sources, Taunsa Assistant Commissioner Asad Chandio has completed the work but his counterpart in Layyah, Asad Budh, has allegedly failed to acquire the land despite the availability of funds. The deputy commissioner had reportedly ordered the officials concerned to expedite the project.

The construction of approach roads from Taunsa and Layyah of about 12 kilometres each is necessary to ensure public benefit from the Layyah-Taunsa bridge.

According to the departmental rules, the administrations of both the districts have to acquire land from the owners under the Land Acquisition Act and hand it over to the National Highway Authority (NHA) for the construction of roads. The amount required for the purpose was transferred to the accounts of the local administration several months ago.

The amount has to be used for purchasing the land and paying compensation for the buildings, trees and crops present on it.

The ACs of Layyah and Taunsa tehsils were entrusted with the responsibility of the land acquisition.

Speaking to The Express Tribune, NHA Deputy Director Mohammad Javed confirmed that the land in Taunsa had been handed over but the process had not been initiated in Layyah.

National Highway Authority transferred funds to the accounts of the administration of both tehsils several months ago. Not only the land was to be purchased with this money, but compensation was also to be paid for the houses, trees and crops existing on the land.

When contacted, the Deputy Commissioner of Layyah, Farhat Hussain Farooq, said that the matter would be dealt with speedily, and the completion of the project ensured soon.

The divisional president and former provincial minister of the PML-N, Maher Ejaz Uchlana, said that delay in the project for Layyah was an example of incompetence “on part of the administration, and the authorities should take notice of it”.

Published in The Express Tribune, February 14^th, 2023.