Boniyar villagers rue delayed compensation for land acquired for road construction

Boniyar, Aug 19: The residents of Badden and Dudran village of Boniyar area of north Kashmir’s Baramulla district have expressed deep frustration and concern over the prolonged delay in the release of land compensation following the acquisition of their land for road construction over a decade ago.

The land, spanning approximately 23 kilometres and 17 M, was acquired by the authorities in 2012 to facilitate the construction and widening of a vital road connecting Badden to Dudran.

The road, which was completed in 2018, has greatly improved connectivity in the area. However, for the families who gave their land for the project, the wait for compensation has turned into a nightmare.

Despite the road’s completion six years ago, and 12 years after the initial land acquisition, the affected families are yet to receive any compensation for the land they lost. The residents, who had hoped the project would bring progress and prosperity, now find themselves in a state of despair.

“We were promised compensation for our land, but all we have faced is silence,” said Muhammad Ramzan Sheikh, one of the affected villagers. “The road was completed in 2018, but our lives have been put on hold since 2012. Many of us depended on that land for our livelihood, and now we are left with nothing,” added Sheikh.

The villagers said that the delay in compensation has caused significant financial hardships. Many families who relied on farming the acquired land now struggle to make ends meet. Some have taken loans to survive, hoping that the promised compensation would soon arrive. But with each passing year, their hopes are fading.

“Our fields were our only source of income,” said another villager. “We gave them up for the road, thinking it was for the larger interest of the people of the area. But the authorities have disappointed us,” said Muhammad Ashraf, another resident of the area.

The residents of Badden and Dudran have now appealed to the authorities to release the compensation immediately, as the prolonged delay has only exacerbated their suffering.

“The government must act now,” urged a local resident. “We cannot continue to live in uncertainty. The authorities need to fulfil their promises and provide us with the compensation we deserve.” He added.

Meanwhile, SDM Uri, Javed Ahmad when contacted said that affected families will be provided compensation amount once the payment is released.

“We are expecting the release of the payment soon. Once it is released it will be soon distributed among the beneficiaries,” he said.