UEED lacks funds to repair drains

Excelsior Correspondent

Damaged cover of a drain outside Jammu University posing risk to pedestrians. -Excelsior/Rakesh
Damaged cover of a drain outside Jammu University posing risk to pedestrians. -Excelsior/Rakesh

JAMMU, June 5: People of different areas have been facing inconvenience due to the failure of the UEED—a wing of the Housing and Urban Development Department, to repair damaged and uncovered drains.
In many areas, drains, which fall under the area of responsibility of UEED, got damaged during the rains several months back but the department has not laid any focus on their repair thereby putting people to inconvenience.
What to talk of those drains which suffered major damages, even some drains with minor damages have been left unrepaired by those at the helm of affairs in the UEED on lame excuses. One such instance is the drain outside the main entrance of Jammu University, which remains in damaged condition during the past many months.
“The condition of drain was brought to the notice of UEED authorities a number of times but till date no step has been initiated to repair the same”, said a deputation of Jammu University teachers, which visited EXCELSIOR office today.
When contacted, Superinten-ding Engineer, Arun Vaid said, “we don’t have funds for repair of damaged drains…… as and when funds are provided we will carry out the work”. He said that Secretary Housing and Urban Development Department has issued an order restraining the UEED from carrying out work without availability of funds.
“Let the funds come we will repair the drains including the one outside the main entrance of Jammu University”, he added.