The Times of India  17.08.2010

2.9 acre delays widening of Kalka-Zirakpur road

PANCJKULA: The four-laning project for the Manimajra to Kalka-Zirakpur stretch of National Highway-22, which was approved by Haryana government in the first week of December, has been hanging fire for eight months due to the non-acquisition of merely 2.9-acre land.

According to information, 16.9 acre acre was supposed to acquired for the four-laning of an 8-km stretch of the National Highway. As the land fell under the jurisdiction of Western Command, Chandimandir, the defence authorities were contacted. In June 2009, WC agreed to give the land in Chandikotla to Panchkula administration in lieu of land in Chandikalan village, Pinjore.

Initially, the district administration reportedly sought only 14 acre from the Chandikalan panchayat. However, a subsequent survey report found out that 2.9 acre more was required. A couple of months after that, Haryana Urban Development Authority (HUDA) and PWD officials held a meeting on the issue and decided to acquire 2.9 acre more in Chandikotla. However, this has still not happened.

Panchkula additional deputy commissionerSanjeev Verma said, "Acquisition of land has been delayed due zila parishad elections. With a new president of zila parishad being elected, the administration will soon contact the panchayat. The government has already decided the compensation amount for the acquired land."

Four-laning of the eight-km patch would benefit those travelling from Chandigarh to Panchkula, Kalka, Pinjore and Shimla. Popularly called Old Ropar Road, it would help ease the bottlenecks.