Surat: The possibility of early completion of Pal-Umra Tapi bridge project has become real now because Surat Municipal Corporation (SMC) will be soon beginning 24-metre wide road alignment work on 1,800 square metres of ‘occupied piece of land’. SMC has issued work orders for shifting seven of the 20 families residing on this piece of land on Umra side of the bridge. These seven families have agreed to the civic body’s formula and the latter hopes others too would fall in line soon.
The bridge is 95 per cent complete since last 18 months but refusal of these families to shift has been holding up the completion of the Rs81 crore project. The bridge, which will join Pal and Umra areas, will benefit approximately 20 lakh people.
Municipal commissioner Banchhanidhi Pani said on January 27 that a few families cannot hold 20 lakh people to ransom. He said, “We will adopt means available under the law and take possession of the land. Land owners will be given compensation as per the law.”
He had said those willing to cooperate will be covered under the compromise formula approved by the standing committee of the civic body. They will be given plots of land of equal size under their possession together with cumulative construction amount of Rs2.50 crore. Each evacuee family also will be paid monthly rent of Rs12,000 till their new house gets ready.
An officer of the civic body said, “Seven families have come forward to accept our formula. We have issued work orders for them and hope the remaining families too will accept our formula.”
An officer of SMC bridge department said, “This bridge will be beneficial to at least 20 lakh people living on both sides of Umra and Pal areas. At present, a large number of people have to go all the way to Sardar Bridge or cable-stayed bridge to cross over to the other side. The bridge will save people at least 15 minutes of travel time.”
The bridge is 95 per cent complete since last 18 months but refusal of these families to shift has been holding up the completion of the Rs81 crore project. The bridge, which will join Pal and Umra areas, will benefit approximately 20 lakh people.
Municipal commissioner Banchhanidhi Pani said on January 27 that a few families cannot hold 20 lakh people to ransom. He said, “We will adopt means available under the law and take possession of the land. Land owners will be given compensation as per the law.”
He had said those willing to cooperate will be covered under the compromise formula approved by the standing committee of the civic body. They will be given plots of land of equal size under their possession together with cumulative construction amount of Rs2.50 crore. Each evacuee family also will be paid monthly rent of Rs12,000 till their new house gets ready.
An officer of the civic body said, “Seven families have come forward to accept our formula. We have issued work orders for them and hope the remaining families too will accept our formula.”
An officer of SMC bridge department said, “This bridge will be beneficial to at least 20 lakh people living on both sides of Umra and Pal areas. At present, a large number of people have to go all the way to Sardar Bridge or cable-stayed bridge to cross over to the other side. The bridge will save people at least 15 minutes of travel time.”
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