The Udham Singh Nagar district administration has expressed disappointment over the slow pace of valuation of land taken for expansion of the Kashipur-Sitarganj National Highway-74.
However, reviewing the progress in this regard, Pankaj Kumar Pandey, District Magistrate, Udham Singh Nagar, has emphasised on the need to expedite the land valuation process so that compensation could be provided to the farmers in return for acquisition of their land for the expansion of the Kashipur- Sitarganj national highway into a four lane road as early as possible.
The District Magistrate, Udham Singh Nagar, has also directed the officials concerned of the national highway authority of India (NHAI) which is looking after this road project, to ensure speedy clearance of the formalities like that of the land evaluation works so that compensation could be provided to the farmers timely.
At the same time Pandey has also said that carelessness would not be tolerated in regard to this road construction works and in case of any difficulty in carrying out the said road project, the officials concerned are supposed to bring it to the notice of the district administration, further said Pandey. It is worth mentioning here that in a bid to provide a safe and hassle free journey, the NHAI is presently converting the Kashipur- Sitarganj highway into a four lane road with divider and the same is expected to be completed within next two years.
As the experts here believe expansion of this national highway -74 will go a long way in ensure smooth travel towards Haridwar/ Deharadun and other parts of the Kumaon division like Tanakpuar-lohaghat/ Pithoragarh via Champawt in the times to come.
Besides, as the experts maintain widening of this road will also come in handy to ensure safe passage for the wild animals in different forest areas which fall along the aforesaid highway.