Banihal, Jan 11: After languishing in uncertainty for nearly a decade and a half, construction on the Kharpora–Shabanbass–Ratan Bass link road in Banihal has finally resumed, following decisive administrative intervention.
While the revival of work has raised hopes of improved connectivity for hundreds of residents, unresolved compensation issues continue to cast a long shadow over the project.
The road, which serves as a crucial lifeline for several remote habitations along the Jammu–Srinagar National Highway corridor, had remained incomplete since its launch in 2010.
Administrative delays, lack of coordination, and the failure to compensate affected landowners had forced the Public Works Department (PWD) to abandon work midway, leaving local communities to suffer the consequences of poor access for years.
A Project Caught in Administrative Limbo
Residents of Kharpora ward number 7 of Municipal committee Banihal recall that the project was initiated during the tenure of former Banihal MLA Vikar Rasool and PWD minister GM Saroori with the objective of connecting Kharpora, Shabanbass, and Ratanbass through a six-kilometre all-weather road. By 2015, excavation was completed on approximately 2.5 kilometres, and protective retaining walls were constructed along nearly two kilometres. However, the road was never linked to the National Highway take-off point near Gund bridge on the old highway, effectively rendering the entire stretch non-functional.
The primary reason for the prolonged halt, locals allege, was the non-payment of compensation to landowners whose land and fruit trees were affected by the construction. As a result, work stopped abruptly, and no alternative resolution was pursued for years.
Administrative Push Brings Temporary Relief
Locals said that the construction activities were recently restored after the intervention of Deputy Commissioner Ramban Mohammad Ilyas Khan, Sub-Divisional Magistrate Banihal Mohammad Naseeb, and Tehsildar Banihal Amjad Talib Keen and their efforts have been widely welcomed by residents of Kharpora and Shabanbass, who view the resumption of work as a long-awaited acknowledgment of their grievances.
BJP leader Mohammad Saleem Bhat credited MP and MoS in PMO Dr Jitendra Singh and the district administration for prioritising the stalled project. He also called for a comprehensive review of other incomplete road projects in the Banihal including Bankoot – Ggujjarnar, Alandar, Darshipora – Itoo Naar and Nagam – Halimaidan roads, which he said reflect a broader pattern of infrastructure neglect.
Landowners Still Waiting for Justice
Despite the renewed activity on the ground, resentment simmers among affected landowners from Kharpora, Gund Adalkoot, Shaban Bass, Nagam, Wani Pora, and Ratan Bass. According to locals, nearly 56 kanals of privately owned land, including fruit-bearing orchards, were damaged during excavation. Debris dumped on agricultural fields over the past fifteen years has rendered fertile land unusable, pushing several families toward economic distress.
One of the local landowner Alyas Ahmed Itoo told Greater Kashmir that in 2016, revenue authorities prepared a compensation assessment amounting to Rs 9.21 Cr and forwarded it to the PWD Division Ramban. However, only Rs 39 lakh has been released so far, benefiting a limited number of landowners, while Rs 8.81 Cr remains unpaid to land owners.
“Every administration acknowledged our loss, but none ensured payment,” he said, adding that repeated appeals to successive governments and officials yielded little more than assurances.
Call for Accountability and Timely Completion
Locals emphasised that timely compensation, adequate funding, and strict monitoring are essential not only to complete the road but also to restore public trust. They said the Kharpora–Shabanbass road, once completed, would significantly improve access to education, healthcare, and markets.
Pending Compensation To Be Cleared Under State Sector
AEE PWD Sub Division Banihal, Mohammad Arif, told Greater Kashmir that Rs 9,21,67,000 was sanctioned as compensation, of which only Rs 38 lakh was so far disbursed to the affected landowners. He said Rs 8,83,67,000 remained pending with the department. He added that the project was earlier executed under a NABARD scheme, where compensation liability existed at that time, and the pending amount would now be cleared under the State Sector.
