This refers the news item titled “J&K to adopt global best practices in Water Resources Management” appearing in DE of April 5, 2021 laying stress on conservation of water resources. Pertinent to mention the River Devika originated from Purmandal and flowing down to Utterbehni despite being declared as a Protected Wetlands is still languishing far behind on this account. In the present day environ evolving of a strategy for regulation of activities with desired conservation plans for sustainable use of water resources is the need of the hour. In this context some suggestions requiring focused attention of the authorities at the helm of affairs are given as under:
Sanctity of River Devika (Gupt Ganga) is mainly because of the fact that whenever we dig a pit in its sandy soil fresh water gushes out forthwith. Unprecedented erosion in the river bed is causing grave threat to the said sanctity and the day is not so far when the notion of Gupt Ganga will be a dream of the past. Construction of Check walls at appropriate places in the river bed requested.
Devika water is considered as holy as Ganga Jal and the same is carried by devotees to their homes in pots/bottles for use on all important occasions. But the unbridled use of polythene and other pollutant materials mainly the cremation of dead bodies at undesignated locations are putting the things in a miserable condition. Complete ban on cremations and use of polythene is requested.
Entering of used water of nearby establishments and bathrooms etc. to the river bed is another cause of concern. Construction of well planned sewerage and drainage system on both sides of the river as well as the town itself with STP is the need of the hour.
Presently the water body (River bed) is being used as road which is a very unhealthy practice and needs to be stopped forthwith.
Construction of Bathing Ghats particularly for ladies with change rooms etc is the need of the hour.
The encroachments on the banks of River Devika ” a water body” are posing a grave threat to its existence because of depletion of river bed width. The Construction of culverts on the pathway under construction eating up the river bed space is sufficient to justify the argument.
Public motivational and awareness programs regarding Conservation of Forests/Water bodies are requested to be organized through Gram Sabhas and Schools etc.
Toilet Blocks constructed on the banks of Water Body a source of nuisance need relocation.
On the Eastern side of Purmandal about one and a half Kms distance is Mahamaya Temple situated on the bank of a Nallah. It may sound untrue but a fact that the water in the said Nallah never dries throughout the year. Steps for conservation of the same is requested.
The forests on the banks of river Devika and upstream rendered barren due to merciless felling need restoration with initiation of harsh steps if need be.
Jawahar Lal Baru
Purmandal
Jammu Smart City
The idea of Jammu smart city project and its objective is to transform the city into a city “by the people, for the people and of the people “,a city people take pride in calling their own, a city where the happiness quotient is high.
The ultimate aim of the smart city initiative should be to improve the ease of living and thereby the happiness quotient. The core infrastructure elements in a smart city should include adequate water supply to every home,uninterrupted power supply to every home,and commercial establishment, sanitation to include waste management followed by robust IT connectivity, digitization, housing, transportation and good governance.
The main purpose of the smart city mission being to improve the quality of life of the people by enabling local area development ultimately improving livability of the entire city ,the involvement of the local population is a must.
The cost involved in the project is phenomenal and therefore the need of people’s participation and working out priority of work to be undertaken first.
Waste management in the city is still a far cry with garbage dumps and construction rubble seen all over. The authorities should first cater for a modern sanitary landfill which is not only a dump but an engineering facility disposing off solid waste without creating nuisance or hazards to public health and safety. The people should be aware where bio, non-biodegradable waste and construction rubble is to be disposed. The priority should then shift to doing up the drains in the city which are in a dilapidated condition, followed by provision of adequate water supply to every home and uninterrupted power supply to every home and commercial establishment.
It is however observed that priority of work does not seem to have been worked out. Work on putting up huge sign boards, beautification of areas under fly overs seem to have been taken up first ignoring the basic requirement of garbage disposal, repair and construction of drains, provision of water and power supply.
Col Vikram Bhasin
Apna Vihar, Kunjwani
Plea to LG
It is brought to the kind notice of the Lt Governor of J&K UT, that MC authorities, Jammu are not inclined to attend the improvement work in Drainage system of Street No. 11&12 in Sector 6 Ward No. 43 Nanak Nagar Jammu when due to the uneven beds of drains cause retention of polluted water in Street No. 11 & 12 drains constantly throughout the year and the polluted water does not flowout therefrom into the central drain existing there in the middle of two lanes.
In the Rainy season due to low level of drains of Street No. 11&12 the water of almost six other drains of this area also comes down in Street No. 12 and the water enters the houses of the Street No. 12 and as a result the houses are flooded. Inspite of making several requests to the Municipal Corporation Jammu the MC authorities are not attending to this crucial work due to one excuse or the other. We are therefore constrained to approach to your office to issue necessary instructions to the MC authorities Jammu to attend this left over construction work lying pending for several years in these lanes.
N D Sharma
General Secretary
Action Committee Dev. Charges
Nanak Nagar, Jammu
Providing rail link to Atal Setu with Pathankot
There is no doubt that much has been done in the expansion of railways network in the country but more is needed to be done to reach out those areas, which though situated very near the railway network have been overlooked due to one reason or the other. For instance the entire area of Pathankot district of Punjab from Mamoon Cantt. up to Dunera along left side of River Ravi with a population of three lacs, Dunera to Mani Mahesh of district Chamba of Himachal Pardesh with a population of six lacs and Basohli to Bhaderwah, Doda and Basohli to Ramkot falling in the districts of Kathua, Doda with a total population of eight lacs, though situated near the railway network have been deprived of the railway facilities. Whether it is Pathankot, Chamba Kathua or Doda district all of them converge at Atal Setu the confluence of three States i.e. J&K UT, Punjab and Himachal Pardesh.. Atal Setu has emerged as a center of all these adjoining districts and if this iconic bridge is provided rail link with the Pathankot railway station, hardly 40 kms from the Setu, can cater to the needs of a large chunk of population who are compelled to make interstate journey in piecemeal which proves both costly and time consuming for them. If the rail link is provided to the Atal Setu on Punjab side, the entire distance from Doda, Bhaderwah, Chamba, Bani to other parts of the country will be shortened by more than half than before.
In addition to making the journey of these districts comfortable, short and economical there are many other benefits of railway link in the field of business, marketing, boosting tourism of Doda, Basohli Bani and Bhaderwah, transportation of the essential commodities at easy rates. The Atal Setu is located at geometrical center of the three States and four districts of J&K UT, Punjab and Himachal Pardesh. It is worth mentioning here that the entire trade between the erstwhile J&K State,Punjab was carried out via Basohli during sixteenth century in the reign of Raja Kishan Pal of Basohli state. The trading corridor can help pool the productions of individual States and can carry the articles to their destinations.
The Rail link to Atal Setu with Pathankot will facilitate 15 lacs population with negligible expenditure as compared to its benefits. Rail link to Atal Setu can revolutionize the life style of the natives by enhancing their business and trade. Facilitating their free to and fro movements. It can prove saviour for the 15 lac population in terms of employment, transportation and business.
Shiv Kumar Padha
Basohli
Repair drains in Sarwal Colony
This is to draw the attention of the JMC authorities that the drains in Sarwal Colony near Jammu Public School are in dilapidated condition.
The drains are uneven, and are damaged at various places. The filthy water instead of flowing smoothly flows from one drain into another through holes developed in them. As a result, water in them stagnates and emits foul which has vitiated the atmosphere in the locality causing unpleasant situation for people. The authorities are requested to construct these new lanes, so that the filthy water flows unhindered.
We hope the authorities may look into the matter at the earliest.
Rajesh Gupta
H No. 134-A
Sarwal Colony
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