Development hit as funds remain disproportionate to area, population
Sanjeev K. Sharma
JAMMU, Jan 6: Being vast in area and having a population of 70,000, Ward number 68 of Jammu Municipal Corporation (JMC) never got funds proportionate to its area and population which resulted in developmental deficit in the area.
Councillor of the Ward, Anil Kumar informed that much of the problems lie in the extended portion of the Ward where proper drainage system is urgently required.
In an exclusive interaction with the Excelsior, Kumar who politically belongs to BJP and is a first time Councillor said areas of his Ward include Greater Kailash, Langar, Ratnu Chack (Lower & Upper), Kalu Chack, Jalo Chack (Lower & Upper), Santokh Vihar, Ram Dassi Mohalla, Charak Mohalla, Sonargi Mohalla, Mehta Mohalla, Guru Nabha Dass Mohalla, Sainik Colony Sector-F, Lower Chowadi and Tara Chapri.
Talking about the water problem in his Ward, Kumar said: “As the Ward comes under Rural Division of Jal Shakti Department, whenever we approach them with water problems, they say that the problem pertains to Urban Division of the Department as the area has now come under Municipal limits.”
The Councillor informed that tendering process is underway for the work of Rs. 3.5 crore to construct water tank in the Ward to solve the water problem there.
He said that Nallahs are required for the extended portion of the Ward.
On work of lanes and drains in the Ward, the Councillor said, “Only in Greater Kailash area, the internal lanes are 45 km long, so, one can imagine the status of drains there, what to say about rest of the Ward.”
He claimed that Rs. 29 crore were spent by JMC on developmental works in the Ward and three bridges were constructed there.
Kumar said that only 10 per cent work of blacktopping has been done in the Ward while Street Lights have covered 90 per cent area but repair of the damaged lights among the installed ones is over delayed.
He said that there is no playground, no parking place for vehicles, no public bath rooms, no public toilet, no health centre and no community hall in the Ward but water coolers are placed at some places in the Ward to facilitate the public.
It is pertinent to mention here that though more than four years of the mandatory tenure of five for the elected body of JMC have passed, many developmental works have not been completed yet while many of such works have even not seen the light of the day.
“I helped 450 people including widows, physically challenged and old age persons in my Ward to get pension but the newly introduced rule for these pensions exclusively to Below Poverty Line people is creating problems for others,” he said.
Kumar said that reports of thefts involving iron grating from drains were there from his Ward and many drug addicts and peddlers are active in the Ward for which the police should take cognizance.
The Councillor also said that there are 7-8 unregistered colonies in his Ward.
Anil Kumar informed that there are many vacant plots in his Ward where labourers live and have illegal water and power connections and these people also defecate in open thereby badly affecting cleanliness and sanitation of the area.
He claimed that survey for house numbering in the Ward is in progress and there are eight ponds in the area with developmental work on one of these has been complete and on other it may start soon at an expenditure of Rs. 3 crore.
The Councillor said that speed breakers are needed on roads of his Ward as the area witnesses rash driving while hanging wires and damaged poles are also there in the Ward for which no corrective measure has been taken so far by the authorities concerned.
He further said that almost all the residents of his Ward have made their Ayushman Cards and most of the eligible Voters have got their Voter Cards and same is the status of Domicile Certificates there.
Kumar said that there is problem due to stray dogs in his Ward.
“These canines not only litter here and there but also bite people and chase two wheelers and have created a wave of terror among women, children and old age people,” he continued.
The Councillor claimed that there are 44 Safai Karamcharis in his Ward but 200 are needed there for proper cleanliness which is so far not up to the mark in the Ward and the workforce in this regard remains overburdened.
“Autos collecting garbage by moving from door-to-door are doing a good job and after this service was introduced, garbage dumps have been reduced in the Ward,” he continued demanding four more such auto for the Ward.
Kumar said that there are three Cremation Grounds in his Ward but these lack approach road and there is one graveyard and Shishu Smadhis also in the Ward which lack development.
The JMC Councillor informed that there are four Parks in his Ward but these also lack proper development and the Ward also needs many high mast lights.
He said that he made efforts to get 1000 individual household latrines made in his Ward to facilitate the needy people there.
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