| Made to decongest Lakhanpur Toll Plaza, Nagri Toll Post fails to serve purpose | | State Govt fails to construct approach road | | Rakesh Sambyal
Kathua, Oct 4: With huge investment to the tune of several Crores, state government has constructed Nagri Toll post at Nagri Parole, to decongest Lakhanpur toll plaza around five years back, but same has failed to serve the purpose for which it was constructed, owing to negligent attitude of state government to construct approach roads.
Sources informed Early Times that there remained huge traffic congestion at Lakhanpur toll plaza as several Lakh vehicles crossed it on monthly basis. "Due to huge flow of traffic especially the import and export of various products, there remains huge traffic congestion, causing lot of inconvenience to general public", they said, adding that the huge traffic flow also affected the smooth functioning of check post, resulting in delay in entry /clearance of goods, besides traffic congestion and other allied problems.
They further said that traffic congestion has also added to the woes pertaining to the tourists and Tourism sector as a whole.
"Since the neighbouring state Punjab had already taken steps for decongestion of Madhopur (situated just adjacent to Lakhanpur toll post) by way of traffic regulation and diversion through Kathlore (Pathankot) for which a bridge on river Ravi has been constructed connecting Pathankot to district Kathua via Nagri Parole", sources said. They further added that Jammu and Kashmir government had accordingly planned for systematic diversion.
"That's why an idea was mooted to de-congest Lakhanpur by establishing another Toll Plaza at Nagri Parole around five years back", they said, adding that though the toll plaza has been completed but approach roads were not constructed.
Presently, Excise and Taxation department, Commercial Tax, Police, Forest, Motor Vehicle departments have deputed their officers at Nagri Toll Plaza. "Government is spending several lakhs on account of salaries to staff of various departments, but it is least bothered about the construction of approach roads", an official rued, adding that without better road connectivity the Nagri Toll Post has just turned into a white elephant.
Talking about benefits of Nagri Toll Plaza an official seeking anonymity said, "It was expected that 40% of vehicular traffic would have been diverted from Madhopur-Lakhanpur via Nagri, shortening the distance by skipping long route through Himachal Pradesh (Damtal)", he said.
Pertinently, the Nagri Toll Plaza is spread over 38 Kannals and 18 Marals. The proposed complex shall have 8 computerized weigh bridges (Five in import and three in export), parking yard for 76 Heavy Motor Vehicles, office block for Excise and Commercial taxes Department, Duplex type residential quarters for DC Excise and DC Commercial Taxes Department, 4 units of double storey flats for ETO's, 12 units of flats for Inspectors, 24 units of flats for Sub-Inspectors, 2 blocks for 72 Guards in three storey building beside other facilities.
When contacted, Executive Engineer of PWD Kuldeep Singh said, "For better road connectivity to Toll Plaza, from Punjab side the road is under GREF, whereas from Nagri to Palli (8.20 kms) the road will be reconstructed by PWD. The department had submitted a plan of Rs. 16 Crore for the same to the central government.
As soon as we get the funds the work will be started". |
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