DCs, SSPs of 3 Punjab districts report compliance in NHAI case

The possession of encroached land was restored to the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) in Malerkotla, Sangrur and Fazilka districts. Information to this effect was furnished to the Punjab and Haryana High Court a day after the Deputy Commissioners (DCs) and Senior Superintendents of Police (SSPs) concerned of the three districts were directed to appear before the court. The Bench was also informed that the possession of nearly 16-km stretch was still to be handed over to the NHAI.

In compliance affidavits submitted before the HC, the Deputy Commissioner and SSP of Malerkotla said possession was delivered to the NHAI with police assistance on May 13 and the construction had commenced.

Sangrur DC and SSP also reported that the land stretch in their jurisdiction had been restored to the NHAI. An affidavit filed by the Fazilka SSP conveyed that 1.77 km-stretch had been restored to NHAI.

The state, however, submitted that around 16-km stretch was yet to be reclaimed and handed over to the NHAI. It assured the HC that efforts were underway to comply with the directions at the earliest.

The matter has been posted for further compliance and status report filing on July 11.