Work on Zirakpur-Pinjore highway way behind schedule

A status report of the construction for Zirakpur-Parwanoo section of National Highway-22 (NH-22) was filed by the NHAI on Thursday. As compared to the target of 95.89 per cent set by the NHAI for plain section from Zirakpur to Pinjore,the target achieved so far is 86.29 per cent.

On the other hand,as against a target of 95.89 per cent set for construction of bypass from Pinjore to Parwanoo,the achieved progress is 74.67 per cent. A division bench comprising Chief Justice Mukul Mudgal and Justice Ajay Tewari took the status report on record in wake of a pending public interest litigation (PIL) concerning construction of pending flyovers and national highways.

“Keeping in view the circumstances and progress of construction of Zirakpur-Parwanoo stretch of NH-22 including construction of two additional flyovers for HUDA,concessionaire has requested for extension of time for completion by June 30,2011,” NHAI submitted.

Amicus curiae appointed in the case,senior advocate M L Sareen took a dig at the NHAI for being “short sighted” and demanded six-laning from Zirakpur to Parwanoo. Citing reasons for delay of the construction of the two stretches,the NHAI submitted that the approval for railway over bridge in Zirakpur was granted by the Railway Authority on March 25.

It was further submitted that for providing smooth flow of traffic from Mubarkpur-Dhakauli road to NH-22,an additional additional amount of Rs 3.04 crore is required.

HUDA is developing sectors near HMT and Surajpur as part of Kalka-Pinjore Urban Complex and as part of providing smooth access to these sectors,HUDA has requested NHAI to construct two additional flyovers. At a cost of Rs 81.23 crores,estimates for same have been submitted to HUDA and final approval with amount is awaited,the reply reads.

“The total length of bypass in Haryana is 5.6 kms and 4 km in Himachal Pradesh. In Haryana,the land acquisition was quite slow from February 2009 till March 15 because of frequent change in competent authority for land acquisition under National Highway Act,1956,as ordered by the Haryana government. The issue was finally taken up with Chief Secretary to Government of Haryana and District Revenue Officer was appointed as competent authority for land acquisition under National Highway Act,1956,” the NHAI submitted. It was added that the progress in Himachal Pradesh was slow because the permission to cut trees in forest land

on alignment of bypass measuring 4.85 hectares was accorded in January 2010 and the trees were cut

under the supervision of Forest department till March 2010.