Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, April 19

The National Highway Authority of India (NHAI) has started the reconstruction of military assets in Jalandhar cantonment that had to be demolished due to the expansion of the National Highway No. 1 passing through the city.The new buildings will replace the ones that had to be removed for paving the way for the highway.The first such building being constructed is the Junior Commissioned Officers Mess of one of the units of the Vajra Corps.“A number of other structures, which are being demolished, will be constructed at appropriate sites in due course of time,” a statement issued here today said.The foundation stone for the reconstruction work was laid today by Major General Sanjiv Bajaj, General Officer Commanding, Jalandhar sub area.The ceremony was attended by a number of senior officials, including Brigadier RPS Sandhu, Station Commander Jalandhar, Kamal Kishore Yadav, Deputy Commissioner, Jalandhar, and Vipin Sharma, Project Director, NHAI.The construction of a security wall by the NHAI is about 65 per cent complete and work is in progress to complete the remaining portion.The work on the NH-1 expansion is likely to commence once the construction of the security wall and guard posts is completed by the NHAI.This will alleviate the problem of traffic congestion at the Rama Mandi Chowk and PAP Chowk.The Army authorities, district administration and the National Highway Authority of India have been working in close coordination to expedite the widening of the national highway and ensuring the security of the cantonment.