JAMMU: The business community in Jammu took to the streets today to protest against the construction of a wall-mounted flyover by the National Highway Authority of India (NHAI) in the district. Scores of traders from Channi Himmat, Bathindi, and neighboring areas gathered near Jammu Darbar, raising slogans against the NHAI authorities and blocking vehicular traffic. They demanded the construction of a pillar-mounted flyover instead. Expressing their concerns, the agitating traders emphasized that the proposed wall-mounted flyover would adversely affect the livelihoods of lakhs of traders and shopkeepers in the vicinity, as well as cause damage to essential infrastructure such as hospitals, schools, and banquet halls. One trader voiced the sentiment of many, stating, ‘Allowing the construction of a wall-mounted flyover would lead to regret for generations to come.’ While the traders expressed willingness to support the construction of a pillar-erected flyover, they lamented that their pleas to the NHAI Project Manager, conveyed through a delegation led by a senior BJP leader, have been ignored. Demanding an immediate halt to the construction work on the wall-mounted flyover, the traders warned of escalating protests if their concerns continue to be disregarded by NHAI authorities.
