JAMMU: Anil Gupta, senior vice president, Rajeev Gupta, junior vice president, Manish Gupta, secretary general, and Rajesh Gupta, secretary, led a delegation from the Jammu Chamber of Commerce and Industry to meet with Nitin Gadkari, Union Minister of Road, Transport, and Highways in New Delhi. They informed him of their concerns regarding the proposed construction designs of the Katra-Delhi Express way, particularly the Kunjwani to Narwal section and Kunjwani to Satwari section, and provided a memorandum. The delegation was also accompanied by senior BJP leader Devender Rana, the former senior vice president of the JCCI, Sham Lal Langer, and Seh Parbhari of the BJP Himachal State unit, who was in Delhi. Arun Gupta stated during the conversation that J&K is going through unheard-of growth and development at the moment, and that enormous infrastructure projects are changing the Union Territory and greatly enhancing its general prosperity. Regarding the ongoing infrastructure development projects in J&K, especially the Katra-Delhi Motorway, he voiced some concerns and suggestions. Gupta brought the Minister’s attention to the motorway flyover construction plan that calls for the installation of blind walls between Kunjwani and Narwal. Gupta acknowledged the significance of infrastructure development and stated that the blind walls on either side of the highway may sever important links between residences, businesses, and retail establishments. According to him, the blind walls might not be in line with the community’s present needs, which could lead to problems for locals, impede emergency services, and affect pedestrians’ everyday commutes. He made note of the fact that this area is primarily used for commercial purposes. This region is home to a wide range of commercial operations, including small-scale services, retail, malls, hospitals, and wholesale. A wholesale fruit market, a mandi, and garages for heavy vehicles, including bodybuilding units for trucks and buses, are located approximately 6 km from the project starting point at 515 KM +000. About 502 commercial establishments will be affected by the project, including 365 retail stores, 10 car showrooms with both private and public vehicles, construction equipment and service centres, 37 godowns, 5 schools, 65 office spaces, 7 hospitals, 5 malls, and 8 shops housed in sheds in both public and private buildings. The impact of the livelihood would extend beyond the businesses to the households (HH) who would lose their stores. Since godowns are only used to support businesses, losing them will have a direct impact on a household’s source of income in addition to causing inconvenience with regard to storing goods. As a result, 587 commercial establishments will face a loss of revenue due to this, which will have an immediate effect on Jammu’s economy. Since both residential and commercial areas are included in the section from Kunjwani to Narwal, we think a community-friendly pillar-based design for the motorway flyover would be more appropriate.We would like to draw your attention to the fact that the construction of a proposed flyover from Kunjwani to Satwari section, up to the Government College for Women in Gandhi Nagar, Jammu, is putting the livelihood of sixty-five shopkeepers in grave danger. The proposed flyover design puts these shopkeepers, who have operated their businesses for more than 60 years, in danger of losing their jobs. Recognising how vital these companies are to the neighbourhood, we humbly ask that the flyover be moved slightly—by 1.5 meters—in order to preserve the jobs of at least 45 store owners. This change would demonstrate the government’s support for regional companies while also protecting these families’ financial security. In this regard, JCCI requested the Union Minister’s intervention. Gadkari then discussed the topics covered in the meeting with the Chairman of NHAI. He further promised that he would personally investigate the matters and ascertain the resolution to the aforementioned concerns.
