GUJRAT: The administrations of Gujrat and Sialkot districts have completed the process for price assessment of the land, building structures and other properties located along the proposed route of Sambrial-Kharian motorway as a sum of Rs13 billion is required to pay the compensation amount to the respective owners as well as the affected utility services.

At least 4,600 acres of some 64 villages in three tehsils, including 28 of Gujrat and 22 of Kharian and 14 of Sambrial tehsil (Sialkot district) had already been earmarked by the National Highways Authority (NHA).

The respective land revenue departments in both the districts had been asked by the NHA to acquire the land and assess the price [of required land] and properties along the route.

An official told Dawn that the district price assessment committee had held two meetings for Gujrat and Kharian tehsils to assess the price in the last week of December with deputy commissioner Dr Khurram Shahzad in the chair. He said the buildings department executive engineer and district officer (agriculture) had also submitted their respective reports about the prices of building structures, crops and trees on the private properties. The Pakistan Telecommunication Company Limited (PTCL) had also submitted its report about the possible loss of underground wire network along the route.

According to an official document dispatched to the NHA Lahore general manager by the respective assistant commissioners of three tehsils in two districts, a sum of Rs13bn is required to pay the compensation amount to the affected owners. The section 4 of the land acquisition act has already been invoked by the DCs for the acquisition of the identified land. The contract for 69-km section of Sambrial to Kharian motorway which is an extension of Sialkot-Lahore motorway (M11) has also been awarded to the Frontier Works Organisation (FWO).

Gujrat Additional Deputy Commissioner Revenue (ADCR) Amir Shahzad Kang said the price of land had been assessed as per the DC rates in those areas since properties and land was usually mutated as per the said formula; however, he said an additional amount of 15 per cent had also been proposed as land acquisition charges to the owners. He said an amount of Rs7.49bn was required for the purpose in Kharian and Rs2.53bn for the land and other properties in Gujrat tehsil as around 3,450 acres were being acquired in these tehsils.

Another official source said Rs3bn were required for the purpose in Sambrial tehsil where 1,171 acre land had been identified for acquisition.

The estimated cost of the extension link of M11 is around Rs 42bn as the land acquisition charges will be paid by the federal government whereas the contractor firm will invest in the construction of the road.

At least five interchanges all in Gujrat district, one junction in Kharian and a rest area has been planned as per the design of the project whereas the link may be extended to Islamabad in near future.

Published in Dawn, January 21st, 2022