Siliguri, Sept. 28: The National Highways Authority of India has recently floated a tender for operation, maintenance and development of additional infrastructure on the 142km stretch on NH31 between Purnia More and Ghoshpukur but said the Islampur bypass would be completed only by March 2018.

The tender is worth Rs 161.21 crore.

Officials said frequent protests by land owners whose plots had been acquired in 2001 for the four-lane 10km bypass (which is part of the 142-km stretch) had prompted the NHAI to carry out a reassessment and fix the new deadline.

The construction of the road that would bypass Islampur town is yet to start as around 50 landowners have been demanding compensation according to current market rates. They have not accepted the compensation that was offered to them by the administration in 2001.

While floating the tender for the 142km-stretch, the NHAI has stated in the bid document: "The four-laning work is being undertaken by the NHAI and likely to be completed by March, 2018".

An administrative official based in Islampur said: "Whenever representatives are going to any place along the stretch, even to carry out basic work like soil testing or checking elevation of the ground, the land owners are protesting. The representatives have felt insecure and some have even informed police."

He added: "The district administration has taken up the task of hearing disgruntled landowners and sent a report to the state government. The people are sticking to their demand of more compensation and have made it clear that they would not allow construction unless their demand is met."

Five bridges and six underpasses would be built on the proposed bypass that will originate from Aliganj on NH31, south of Islampur, and meet the highway at Iluabari.

Sources at the NHAI said on the 142km-stretch, infrastructure at all three toll plazas would be improved. "An administrative building, a toilet block, medical post and a traffic aid post would be build in each toll plaza and the number of lanes at the plaza would be increased," the source said.

Along NH31, six more toilet blocks and two foot over-bridges would be build.

A source at the NHAI said: "It would take more time to clear the problems. We had to do a reassessment and fix a deadline while floating the tender."

Asked about the land issue, a senior official at the North Dinajpur district administration said: "We are putting in all efforts to ensure that the issues are resolved through talks."