Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Mar 1: Minister for Urban Development and Urban Local Bodies, Nawang Rigzin Jora today visited Warehouse – Nehru market and took stock of the condition of the lanes, drains and other civic facilities in the area.
The Minister was accompanied by Vice Chairperson, Jammu Development Authority, Sarita Chauhan, Commissioner, Jammu Municipal Corporation (JMC), Kuldeep Khajuria, President, Chamber of Commerce & Industries, Y V Sharma, senior officers of JDA, JMC and other representatives of Chamber of Commerce & Industries.
Describing the place as the nerve centre of the Jammu city trade, Mr Jora directed the JDA officers to take immediate steps to improve sanitation conditions, lanes and drains in the area. He also asked the Jammu Municipal Corporation authorities to make arrangements for lifting of garbage and other waste materials on regular basis.
He asked the concerned agencies to take immediate steps in this regard so that the traders and people coming to the area may not face any inconvenience. He said, spread over an area of 207 kanals of land, the area is biggest business centre of Jammu city where thousands of trucks are being unloaded daily to transport merchandise to other parts of the State, adding that it needs immediate attention from the concerned agencies. He also called for construction of toilets and urinals in the area for the convenience of traders and customers.
Interacting with the shopkeepers and representatives of Chamber of Commerce & Industries, the Minister assured that their genuine demands especially better sanitation, repair of lanes and drains will be addressed on priority and added that the Government was committed to develop the Jammu City on modern lines. He said that warehouse has to be developed with adequate facilities.
Earlier, the President of Chamber of Commerce put forth various demands including handing over of ownership rights to the shopkeepers. He said that warehouse has provided employment to about 10,000 persons and was a source of Rs 250 crore to Rs 300 crore revenue for the Government in terms of income tax, tool tax and VAT etc. He said that warehouse have 130 shops while, Nehru market 268 and both markets are run by 500 traders. He also said that Jammu- Kathua Bus service is also being operated from the complex and it should be relocated to some other place.
Demanding the expansion of the warehouse on modern lines so that more people could be accommodated, he said that more shops should be constructed by the Jammu Development Authority on the vacant land adjacent to complex. He said that thousands of truck loads are dispatched to Srinagar, Leh and Kargil markets from this place.
Responding to the demand of ownership rights, Mr Jora said that he will take up the matter with concerned agencies under rules and regulations. However, he assured immediate renovation of lanes, drains and sanitation in and around the area. He also directed the concerned for immediate repair of the approach road to the Nehru market Block-D, which presently is in dilapidated condition.
The members also demanded early completion and opening of Warehouse-Balicharan to Kunjwani Chowk road to facilitate smooth movement of heavy transport goods vehicles leaving and coming to the area.
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