Northern Bypass in Peshawar: Villagers threaten protest if NHA fails to pay compensation

PESHAWAR: The residents of Mullazai village have warned of launching a protest campaign if the government failed to pay them compensation amount forthwith for their land acquired for building the Northern Bypass.

A villager Tariq Khan told The News that the government was constructing the Northern Bypass road passing through various villages in the suburbs of Peshawar.

This road will ease the already congested traffic of Peshawar, especially after the ill planned Bus Rapid Transit (BRT). The traffic moves at a snail pace making it inconvenient for the residents of Peshawar. The BRT has destroyed the character of the city.

Tariq Khan said the Northern Bypass was planned by the National Highway Authority (NHA) six years ago, but the project has not moved forward.

The residents of Mullazai were awarded by the Revenue/land department of the NHA four months back. “Our land was taken over but we have yet to receive payment for the land acquired by the NHA,” he added.

There are many people who own houses on the land acquired for the road. They have to build new houses somewhere else but have not yet received compensation amount.

“Our land is the most expensive in the area. It cannot be termed as agriculture land anymore. The price ranges from Rs500,000 to Rs700,000 per marla. It is surrounded by Defence Housing Authority and PHA and is in the vicinity of commercial area,” Tariq Khan claimed. He said the villagers request the prime minister and chief minister to look into the matter and resolve the issue of the poor villagers. “We, the landowners, will start an agitation if we are not paid for our land acquired by the NHA immediately,” he warned.