Construction work suspended at two Sindh govt projects

KARACHI: The construction work at ‘Ghotki-Kashmore Kandhkot Bridge’ and interchange of connected highway N-55 has been suspended due to the nonpayment of compensation to the landowners whose lands were acquired for the projects by the revenue officers of both districts.

The Works and Services Department Sindh showed its displeasure and annoyance on the attitude of the Land Acquisition Officers (assistant commissioners) of the two districts for not distributing Rs884 million to affected landowners. It also recommended to hold them accountable for inordinate and willful delay in completing the land acquisition process.

Earlier in last year due to the corruption of millions of rupees by the revenue officers of district Naushero-feroze and Matiari in land acquisition funds of Sukkur-Hyderabad (M-6) motorway project, the work of those project had also been suspended for last many months.

Through an official letter, copy of which is available with The News, the senior chief (Development) of the Sindh Works and Services Department informed the secretary Sindh Services, General Administration and Coordination Department (SGA&C) that the tentative land compensation amount of Rs504.24 million had already been deposited to the AC Ghotki and Rs380.12 million to the AC Kashmore-Kandhkot on December 29, 2022. It added that despite repeated communication with the deputy commissioners and concerned assistant commissioners of the both districts, the project manager, Ghotki-Kandhkot Bridge Project highlighted the suspension of site activities due to unpaid land compensation. It significantly impeded construction across various project stretches, not only bridge over River Indus but also the N-55 highway’s Interchange at Kandhkot. Landowners, whose land was acquired for the project, have disrupted construction due to non-payment of due compensation to them despite depositing compensation funds by the Sindh government.

The letter further described that there had been a notable delay in the completion of the land acquisition proceedings in those districts, which was causing undue hardship to the affected landowners, as the Land Acquisition Act of 1894 outlined specific procedures and timelines for the acquisition of land, and it was imperative that these procedures were followed meticulously to ensure fairness and transparency in the process. It was further stated that the timely resolution of the matter was not only crucial for the affected landowners but also for the successful and timely completion of the developmental projects associated with the land acquisition.

Senior Chief (development) of W&S concluded that keeping in view of the facts, the Secretary SGA&C should intervene and instruct the concerned DCs to expedite land acquisition proceedings under the Land Acquisition Act of 1894 and release payments to affected landowners, ensuring uninterrupted construction activities by the concessionaire at the site.