In Punjab, the National Highway Authority of India’s (NHAI) projects worth crores of rupees are stuck due to land acquisition. Due to this, NHAI is facing trouble. The hearing of this case will be held in the Punjab and Haryana High Court today.
The Punjab government will file an affidavit and explain the project’s delay because this problem has been occurring for the last year. However, NHAI has clarified that even after depositing crores of rupees for the land, possession has not been given yet. Due to this, contracts are also being canceled.
These projects were affected
NHAI in its petition had challenged the process of land acquisition for Memadpur (Ambala)-Banur, IT City Chowk Banur to Kharar Chandigarh Expressway under the Bharat Mala Project. It was also told in the court that due to the non-availability of land, the work of the Delhi Katra Expressway, Ludhiana-Rupnagar to Kharar Highway, and Ludhiana Bathinda Highway is also stuck.
NHAI told the High Court that even after the court’s order, the court still has not been given possession of the land. 80 percent of the land has not been handed over in 10 national highway projects. Due to this, the 897 km long national highway project costing Rs 34193 crore is hanging.
While the work of 391 projects costing Rs 13190 crore is also hanging in the balance. At the same time, due to non-availability of land, they have had to cancel the contracts of some contractors. Contractors have had to pay one percent. At the same time, even after depositing Rs 4104 crore for the land, possession of the land has not been given.