‘Rs 51.16 cr disbursed to Bandipora landowners for NHAI project’

Srinagar, Mar 26: The National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) has disbursed Rs 51.16 crore to rightful landowners as compensation for land acquired for the construction of a ring road in Bandipora district, a government report revealed.
The government has said that the disbursement process is nearing completion, with the remaining Rs 1.12 crore expected to be released soon.
“Out of Rs 52.28 crore, Rs 51.16 crore stands disbursed, under the National Highways Land Acquisition Act,” the report suggests.
Pertinently, the Minister of Road Transport & Highways has been approached to grant NH status to two crucial roads in the region—the proposed routes include the Sangrama-Sopore-Watlab-Bandipora-Sumbal road (78 km) and the Srinagar-Sumbal-Bandipora-Gurez road (128 km), which will feature a tunnel at Razdan Pass to ensure all-weather connectivity.
Meanwhile, the government report, while addressing concerns over the use of sub-standard materials in road construction, asserted that all materials used comply with established NH standards and are regularly inspected by appointed engineers.
Moreover, no formal complaints regarding material quality have been reported, it added. (KNO)