Rawalpindi Ring Road landowners demand payment before opening
Hundreds of kanals of land were acquired from around 200 owners in each of seven old settlements for the 38.5-kilometre project. However, the affected owners say authorities have still not issued formal compensation awards.
The landowners said their property was taken for a project described as being in the national interest. They said they supported the development and waited patiently, but now want the government to settle their claims.
The affected residents have warned that they will bring their children to the Ring Road inauguration ceremony on Aug 14 if the compensation issue is not resolved.
Landowners demand immediate compensation
A delegation of affected landowners recently met MNA Engineer Qamarul Islam and raised concerns over the continued delay.
The landowners said property in Mouza Kahi Mirbaz, Khengar Kalan, Hoshial, Kamalpur and nearby areas was acquired for the road. They said the project has been completed and is operational, but payment for their land remains pending.
They also complained that authorities have not announced the compensation rates or the total amount payable to affected owners.
The residents blamed the Rawalpindi Development Authority and Ring Road project management for failing to complete the compensation process.
They urged Punjab Chief Minister and Rawalpindi Commissioner officials to intervene. They also demanded action against officials responsible for the delay and called for payments before the inauguration.
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Fencing creates another problem
The landowners also raised concerns about fencing installed around several parts of the project.
They said the fencing has restricted access to agricultural land around Mera Mohra Interchange, Mandhal, Dhakki Kalan, Dhok Raja Gul Sher, Khengar Kalan, Hoshial, Kamalpur and Ratti Bin.
According to the affected residents, the restrictions have created additional difficulties for people whose land was already acquired for the road project.
MNA Engineer Qamarul Islam assured the delegation that all affected landowners would receive compensation. He said their details and complaints had already been sent to the Punjab government and the commissioner.
PML-N leader Raja Ilyas Kayani said a delegation would also travel to Lahore to meet the chief secretary. He warned that the landowners would hold a major protest if their demands were not addressed.
Sources said repeated changes to the interchange’s design and configuration increased its reported cost from Rs1.2 billion to Rs4.7 billion.
