HYDERABAD, Nov 18: The district coordination officer, Hyderabad, Mir Hussain Ali, has appointed the EDO, Revenue, Hyderabad, Shakeel Hyder Naqvi, as an inquiry officer to probe into the irregularities in the payment of compensation award of land acquisition which was acquired for the construction of the National Highway.

This he decided while presiding over a meeting regarding difficulties being faced by the National Highway Authority in the construction and operation of highways.

The general manager, National Highway Authority, Sindh, Mian Abdul Haq, informed the meeting that the rates for land acquisition were agreed upon and compensations were revised and enhanced by the local land acquisition officers (LAOs) which had not only caused heavy financial losses but had also instigated other Khatedars, who had filed appeals in the court for revision of rates.

Thus, he said, the NHA was facing great inconvenience in the construction of the highway.

Hyderabad DCO Mir Hussain Ali assured the meeting that action would be taken against those who were found indulging in mala fide practices.

Discussing the menace of encroachments on national highways, especially on by-pass roads, the DCO constituted a four-member committee comprising the Taluka municipal officers (TMO), Taluka police officers (TPO), deputy district officer (DDO) of revenue, and a representative from the National Highway Authority.

He directed to remove all illegal encroachments early which were creating obstruction in the smooth flow of traffic on the highways.

The DCO was of the view that by-pass roads were constructed to ensure safe and secure traffic facilities and the rules should be implemented in letter and in spirit.

He also took serious notice of the violation of one-way rule and directed the police to fully enforce rules of the one-way system, especially on the highways where dual-carriage facility was already available.

He also asked the National Highway Authority to discourage undue access on the highways so that chances of accidents were avoided.

Expressing his apprehension over the dangerous curve at the Matiari by-pass, the DCO asked the general manger, National Highway Authority, Sindh, to make it more straight and feasible in such a way that further accidents were avoided.

He assured that the district government would provide all help, including acquisition of land, if required for the purpose.

Discussing the establishment of petrol pumps on the National Highway, the district coordination officer told the officials of the National Highway Authority that facilities for stakeholders and travellers be ensured before permission could be granted.