High robbery instances in Udhampur
It is relevant to mention that during the last few years, there has been a marked increase in the incidences of criminal activities especially in the Udhampur City of the Jammu & Kashmir state wherein some high profile thefts took place. The elderly people in Udhampur particularly those with working children in other states may be at risk. Robberies are something that the police are very useful in preventing. Their duties consist of preventing robberies from happening in the first place, and handling criminals when they occur. There are numerous ways that the police can employ to deter robberies but they are ideal to be used hand in hand with other larger community campaigns, business-house collaborations as well as other prominent ways of technology application. Robbery control can be achieved by employing uniformed police force in areas with high cases of robberies e.g. retail outlets, branches of commercial banks, and residential areas. If robbers understand that there are high chances that they will be arrested, they will not undertake crimes. Several different methods in criminology involve analyzing crime data so that police can first identify a geographical area that experiences more robberies and walkers, thus increasing police patrols in those areas. This strategy focuses on the police patrol efforts in the hot spot areas, that is the areas that have high prevalence of crimes. Also, police agencies can create live feeds of information on suspicious activities, robbery trends, and tips on safety on social networks. They can also compel people to contribute reports or information about possible incidents that may amount to offences on the social platforms. In a bid to prevent other crimes of the same nature in the future, authorities must be hard on the robbers; they should ensure that the victims have their day in court.
Dr. Anish Kumar
MH Road Udhampur
Install street lights from Rahya Morh to Jakh
I want to highlight a pressing safety issue that affects residents, students and daily commuters in the Samba district the absence of streetlights on the Rahya Morh to Jakh road area. This poorly lit route poses significant risks, particularly during night time.
The lack of adequate lighting has contributed to reckless driving. For commuters who walk down the stretch, the situation is equally dangerous as blocked footpaths force them to walk on the road, putting their safety at further risk. The darkness also raises fears of potential loot or harassment, especially for those who are travelling alone.
Implementing effective lighting solutions on this road would greatly enhance safety and provide residents with a sense of security.
I urge the concerned authorities to take immediate action to install street lights on this stretch to prevent potential accidents and ensure the well-being of all who use this road.
Anushree Bhattacharya
Student, Central University of Jammu
Inefficient garbage disposal and health hazards in Gandhinagar
I would like to bring to your attention the alarming situation concerning garbage disposal and insanitation in the Gandhinagar area, which falls under the jurisdiction of Jammu Municipal Corporation. While the municipality has made arrangements to collect routine kitchen waste from a few houses on a monthly payment basis, there are significant gaps in addressing other types of waste.
Earlier, large garbage bins were placed at different locations in the colony for residents to dispose off garden waste and non-kitchen waste. However, under a recent order, these bins have been inexplicably removed without providing an alternative. This has led to heaps of garbage piling up along the roadside, giving the area an unsightly appearance and creating an environment conducive to mosquito breeding. This is especially concerning as the incidence of dengue is on the rise, posing a severe health risk to the residents.
Additionally, the sweepers employed to clean the roads often sweep the debris into the side drains, blocking the flow of water and causing stagnation. This further contributes to the unhealthy conditions, as stagnant water is a breeding ground for mosquitoes and other pests.
The lack of proper garbage disposal measures and ineffective drainage maintenance are not only tarnishing the image of the colony but also endangering the health of its residents. I urge the concerned authorities to take immediate action by reinstalling garbage bins at strategic locations to prevent the indiscriminate dumping of waste.
Identifying designated disposal points for garden and other non-routine waste.
Ensuring that sweepers dispose off road debris properly instead of blocking drains.
Launching a comprehensive clean-up drive to address the current unhygienic conditions. It is crucial that these steps are taken promptly to safeguard the health of the people in Gandhinagar.
Deepak Dhar
Gandhinagar. Jammu
Start M Tech Civil Engineering in GCET Jammu
As the Govt. College of Engineering and Technology has advanced in many disciplines of Engineering at Graduate Level and have started M Tech Degree courses in Mechanical Engineering, Electronics and Communication Engineering, Computer Science and Engineering for the session 2024-25 but have not started M Tech in Civil Engineering for which various candidates having passed Degree in Civil Engineering either from GCET Jammu or other colleges, have to move out of state for the same. It shall be very fruitful at doorsteps to the aspiring candidates if GCET Jammu has M Tech Admission facility available here. I request the concerned authorities to please start the M Tech Civil Engineering Degree course in Govt. College of Engineering and Technology Jammu so that the poor students who are unable to move out of state shall have maximum benefit of these courses here by getting seat on merit basis/as per norms of the concerned college.
Mohd Yaseen Batt
Rounda, Bhaderwah
Upgrade Slathia Chowk-Mian-Da-Bagh Road Udhampur
About 4-5 Km Dhar Road stretch, within Udhampur Municipality, from Slathia Chowk to Mian-Da-Bagh speaks volumes of the unending neglectful attitude of the elite at the helm of affairs. The blacktop strip of the road is narrow, while the sides are sharp slanting, uneven and stony like a dry brook. The stretch always remains over-burdened with heavy/light vehicular traffic as well as all shades of pedestrians movement from early morning till late night. As the road passes through the heart of Udhampur City it has dense population around. Due to heavy traffic load and the peoples ever-increasing rush hereon it becomes, imperative that special attention on priority is paid towards its overall up-gradation like widening, sides’ levelling, proper light and drainage provisions and safety measures at the vulnerable spots to make it risk free.
The road has on its both sides numerous important institutions such as Distt. Courts Complex, J&K Bank Main Branch, GREF, Head Post Office, District Hospital/Medical College, Department of Khadi & Village Industry, J&K Bank Branch Shakti Nagar, Private Schools, Block Dev. Office (RDD) Kallar, Sabzi Mandi, Old Industrial Estate and innumerable business establishments including marriage halls. Besides these, the stretch has road links to Main Bazar, Railway Station, Doodha Dhari Temple, Talab Sailan, Women’s College, 4 lane National Highway etc.
Resultantly, the swelling crowds of people from all around emerge on the unsafe road daily. The road stretch due to its deficiencies does not meet the challenging situation safely and smoothly. On the contrary, it causes inexplicable inconvenience and irreparable loss to the human life every now and then because of its jam and accident prone nature. If upgraded, it would become safe, charming and healthy life line of Udhampur City. It would certainly increase the Udhampur’s business activities manifold. It would also pave way for the Kashmir bound tourists’ light vehicles’ entry over to the said road stretch from the National Highway Chowk Rathian. It would further add to the Udhampurites’ economic growth and prosperity.
Swatantra Dev Kotwal
Distt. Courts, Udhampur
Approve proposal for construction of drains in Ajit Colony Extn
The residents of Ajit Colony Extn. (South), Ward 32, Jammu West once again request for action to the newly appointed Commissioner JMC Devansh Yadav to grant approval and release necessary funds for construction of a drainage system in this locality, an amenity which has so far been denied to us despite all talks of massive development for all.
The residents have been pursuing this demand since 2014 when last Assembly elections were held and the newly elected MLA Jammu West Arvind Gupta has also been apprised of our continuous efforts to get the drainage System constructed. Grievances have been registered with the PMO, LG grievance Cell, JMC. Former Mayor and the Corporator too had visited the locality but couldn’t get the needful done. Numerous representations have been submitted, deputations met but the construction never started for want of approval of the proposal and release of funds.
In compliance to the orders of Chief Information Commissioner dated 22.01.2024, the Executive Engineer JMC Division No III vide his office no:-JMC/D-III/6341-42 dated 12/02/2024 had conveyed that a proposal has been submitted to the Joint Commissioner (Works) JMC on 06/01/2024 vide Xen Div III JMC no:-5904-06 and approval and release of funds are awaited so that the work can be started.
The residents of South Extn, suffer massive water logging as the natural channel draining the entire area with its slope from North to South from the house of S. Hakoomat Singh (N) to Puran Chand (S) even before the colony came into existence has been blocked due to new construction leading to stagnation of rain water and danger of rain water flooding the houses at South end damaging their belongings. The concerned authorities and the elected representatives including MP and the UT Govt are requested to understand our plight and solve our problem on priority basis and get the proposal approved, funds released so that drains can be constructed and we may heave a sigh of relief.
Arun Jandial
Ward 32, Ajit Colony Extn ( South)
Talab Tillo Camp Road, Jammu (West)
Hold elections in Sainik Colony, Jammu
Seven years gone, no elections in Sainik Colony, Jammu. Participation in a democratic process and casting votes are fundamental rights of all eligible voters in a democratic country like India. Sadly, this right to elect its own representatives for management of the Sainik Colony, has been denied to its residents by some ineligible people/ agencies on one or the other flimsy grounds since 2017. Their such efforts continue to derail/ deny election process despite a clear cut and unambiguous decision dated 23 Apr 2024 given by the Hon’ble HC of J&K and Ladakh to the concerned government officials/ offices for completing the election process within 6 months i.e by/ before 22 Oct 2024.
This denial has compelled all the eligible voters consisting of disciplined serving, retired, war widows and other eligible voters to weigh pros and cons to exercise other options too within their rights to see elections are held without any further delay. It is perhaps the right time for all the concerned authorities, departments and officials to understand the Undercurrent, Anger and feelings of the residents and take note. Indeed, intriguing when elections are being held in other societies.
Col Shiv Choudhary
Sainik Colony, Jammu