Local shopkeepers of Hatli Mod area expressed their anger against NHAI

Kathua 07 June (HS). Local shopkeepers of Kathua's Hatli Mod area demonstrated against the National Highway Authority by raising slogans at Hatli Mod. The shopkeepers present among the protesters said that the National Highway Authority is not refraining from doing its arbitrary actions.

The protesters said that when the construction of the flyover started on Hatli Mor National Highway, they had demanded to build a flyover with pillars, which was not accepted. After which, now the lives of local shopkeepers have become difficult due to the flyover construction work. They said that where tar was to be laid, the National Highway Authority is putting mud there. Due to which local shopkeepers are falling ill due to dust. A local shopkeeper said that ever since the construction work is going on, he has fallen ill due to dust and he has also got stunts installed. He said that he is with development but development should not be done by destroying the public. Local shopkeepers said that due to overloaded dumpers, the road from Hatli Mor to Kathua has broken at many places, which is not being repaired. Due to which accidents are also happening every day. He said that due to dust, local shopkeepers have kept their shops closed. It has become difficult for local shopkeepers to feed their families and on the other hand shopkeepers are facing many types of diseases. They demanded from the district administration that they should be relieved from this problem. They warned that if their legitimate demands are not considered then they will stage violent protests in the coming days and the district administration will be responsible for this.