Excelsior Correspondent
![Minister for Urban Development and Urban Local Bodies Nawang Rigzin Jora interacting with people during his visit to Janipur on Wednesday.](http://www.dailyexcelsior.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/04/page9-150x150.jpg)
JAMMU, Apr 3: Minister for Urban Development and Urban Local Bodies, Nawang Rigzin Jora today conducted a whirlwind tour of various areas of Jammu city including Janipur Colony, Sarwal and Rajpora, Lower Mangotra to take stock of present status of various ongoing projects.
The Minister was accompanied by Vice Chairman, Jammu Development Authority, Sarita Chauhan, Commissioner, Jammu Municipal Corporation, Kuldeep Khajuria, Joint Director Works, JMC, Executive Engineer, UEED and other concerned officers of Jammu Devlopement Authority, Jammu Municipal Corporation and UEED.
During the visit, a number of people met the Minister and apprised him of their problems with regard to sanitation, drainage and sewerage.
Addressing the people, the Minister said that the Government is endeavoring a lot to make Jammu city slum-free and promote Srinagar and Jammu cities as engines of economic growth. He said that Government is committed to provide basic civic amenities also in 84 Municipal Councils/ Committees of Urban Local Bodies under annual plan schemes by way of construction of lanes, drains, culverts, bathroom, lavatory blocks, passenger sheds, installation of streets lights, construction and upgradation of bus terminals and other mini bus stands to resolve the transport related problems.He said issuing of on line birth certificates, building permission besides addressing the grievances of the common people through e-governance on the spot are some of big achievements of the Government.
Jora asked the officers to complete all the ongoing projects in time, adding that presently a number of mega projects have been taken in hand and work on these projects would be started soon including ChanniHimmat drain project and BikramChowk- Women College, GandhiNagar etc. He directed the Municipal officers that there would be no compromise on proper sanitation and cleanliness which is necessary for boosting the pilgrims Tourism in the Jammu.
Meanwhile, the Minister directed JMC officers to ensure proper functioning and maintenance of street lights in the city.
Earlier, the Minister during his inspection, was informed that out of estimated cost of Rs. 23 lakh, so far Rs. 11.5 lakh have been spenton construction of RCC walls on the both side of Janipura nallah and other improvement works while Rs. 30 lakh have been spent on the construction of RCC Walls (of 180 meters of 200 meters) of Shakti Nagar Nallah, Rajpora.
Jora also visited Sarwal and inspected the ongoing construction work of Shiva Ji Park Sarwal. He was informed that estimated cost of the project is above Rs. 5 lakh and so far 30% of the work has already been executed. He was told that the work like fixing of grills, construction of edgewall, improvement of main gate is in full swing while after completion of the project the park will be provided benches accordingly so that the people of the concerned area may be benefitted.
At Janipur, a delegation led by Congress leader Maheshwar Singh and comprising of Vivek Gupta, Pawan Kumar, Rohit Arora, Rajinder Abrol, Ajit Singh, Parkash and others apprised the Minister about the problems of Janipur Housing Colony and adjoining areas.
The delegation demanded free lease hold rights/ownership rights for the residents of Janipur Housing Colony, coverage of nullah in Pamposh Colony and Phase-I Paloura particularly near Peer Baba etc.
The Minister gave patient hearing to the deputation and assured to look into the demands.