Check post will not be moved to Hussainiwala, says Badal Putting to rest the speculation on shifting of the proposed multi-gate mega-project of Joint Check Post (JCP) at Attari border to Hussainiwala in Ferozepur, Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal said land acquisition troubles would be overcome. Talking to The Indian Express a couple of days ago, Badal said there were problems cropping up regarding acquisition of land, "but I have asked the district administration to clear the hurdles and give farmers adequate compensation. This project is a must for development of Amritsar and its adjoining areas.' A brainchild of Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh, the project envisages additional infrastructure, more gates, separate cargo terminals for smooth passage of goods trucks and overhauling of visitors' gallery. The government requires about 700 acres for the purpose, but farmers are up in arms, saying they are being offered peanuts in exchange for their ancestral agriculture land. Much of the business in this part of the region depends on the opening of trade with Pakistan. First, the pilgrims' bus service and then goods' truck through the JCP have generated new hope for state's economy, as businessmen saw a multifold increase in trade with Pakistan and Central Asia through this land route. "With the route being opened, the traditional silk route will be revived. It will change the face of this region,' said CII local head Gunbir Singh. With this in mind, the state government, in consultation with the Union Ministry of Home Affairs, Defence Ministry and Border Security Force, had planned to develop Attari as a state-of-the-art check post. The proposed project would primarily focus on separation of the cargo terminals from general entry point. The travellers would use the other gates and the visitors' gallery, which is witnessing an unprecedented 20,000 visitors a day to see the Retreat Ceremony.Of late, the border post had been buzzing with visitors despite lack of basic facilities of drinking water and toilets. Amritsar DC Kahan Singh Pannu said they were in consultations with the farmers and would soon sort out the differences. He admitted that the land was available in abundance at Hussainiwala, but the government was more interested to upgrade this JCP. The government requires about 700 acres, but farmers are up in arms, saying they are being offered peanuts in exchange for their ancestral agriculture land