Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Oct 17: Strongly opposing the construction of multi-storey parking and commercial complex at Gole Market in Jammu, residents of Block A & B of Sector A of Gandhi Nagar have urged the Minister for Urban Development Nawang Rigzin Jora to stall this process at the cost of an iconic party in the locality.
In a joint statement issued here today on behalf of the residents of the area, I C Jandial, former regional chairman of Lions International and Dr C M Seth, noted environmentalist and State chairman of WWF have issued appeal to the Government ERA and Asian Development Bank authorities to shelve this project in the larger interest of the residents of this housing colony and not to cause ‘death’ of this park.
While extending gratitude to Minister for Urban Development for promptly shelving commercial floors of the complex in response to the residents’ concern appealed him not to go in even for the huge multi-tier parking at Gole Market at the cost of the iconic park as it is not required. It would create more problems for the locals of the area. They said a small market comprising of hardly 40 shops does not need a multi-tier parking complex when already conceived and much needed multi-tier parking complexes near City Chowk, Super Bazar and General Bus Stand are nowhere in sight despite being talked about for over a decade.
They also slammed the efforts of some organisations to tacitly support the ill-conceived multi-storey parking and recreational complex on behalf of Govt and ERA. They said residents would also take available recourses including the legal intervention to prevent damage to the park. They alleged that Government appears to be more interested for the vested interests of the business community of Apsra Road rather than the interests of the residents of the area.
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