Sanjeev Pargal
JAMMU, Jan 24: The Legislative Assembly today witnessed uproarious scenes and a walk-out by some Opposition MLAs over delay in formation of Mobility Plan for Jammu and Srinagar cities, construction of Fly Overs and steps required to de-congest the two capital cities even as the Government announced series of measures aimed at developing and de-congestion of the cities.
National Conference MLAs from Srinagar City including Ali Mohammad Sagar, Mubarak Gul, Shamima Firdous and their party colleague from Nagrota Devender Singh Rana were on their feet while raising supplementaries to the main question of BJP’s City East MLA, Rajesh Gupta on construction of Fly-Overs and steps required for de-congestion of traffic in Jammu City.
The NC MLAs stressed on half an hour separate discussion on the subject. While Speaker Kavinder Gupta agreed to the proposal for discussion saying he would find out time for it, Parliamentary Affairs Minister Abdul Rehman Veeri said the members should give their proposal in writing instead of creating uproar in the House. The Speaker suggested that the MLAs could also debate the issue during grants of Housing and Urban Development Ministry, which have been listed in the Legislative Assembly on January 27.
PDP MLA and former Minister Javed Mustafa Mir later also joined the issue saying Jhelum was sinking and the Government should come out with an immediate plan to preserve it. An agitated Mir asked: “do I have to come to the Well like Devender Singh Rana to raise my issue”?
Congress Legislature Party (CLP) leader Rigzin Jora and Devender Rana said the report of M/s RITES, which had conducted extensive study on Mobility Plan for Jammu and Srinagar cities, should be examined and implemented to overcome traffic congestion.
The opposition members sought details about urban traffic mobility plans constituted by the previous Government for decongestion of the twin capital cities.
Rana demanded an hour-long discussion and the setting up of a committee to discuss the issue as traffic congestion in the twin cities was causing great inconvenience to the people.
National Conference MLA including Ali Mohammad Sagar Mubarak Gul, Shamima Firdous and Devender Rana moved close to the Well of the House and not satisfied with the Government response staged a walk-out from the House.
Rana charged Finance Minister Dr Haseeb Drabu with signaling Dr Nirmal Singh not to accept the demand for implementation of M/s RITES report.
In his reply, Deputy Chief Minister Dr Nirmal Singh, who holds the charge of Housing and Urban Development Ministry, announced that proposal for launch of metro rails in Jammu and Srinagar capital cities is being assessed. The Government would shortly prepare a plan and take up it with the Centre.
He added that Housing Policy is also being formulated by the Government and would be released soon. He said Fly-Overs on BC Road and Canal Road were also under consideration. A number of parking places were being constructed in both the capital cities to de-congest traffic, he said.
BJP City East MLA Rajesh Gupta stressed for construction of Fly-Overs on BC Road and Canal Road. He alleged that BC Road Fly Over has become the victim of “political conspiracy”. He said earlier the Government had claimed that work on BC Road Fly Over would be taken up after widening of the road. However, now, neither the widening nor the Fly Over is in sight.
RS Pathania, BJP MLA from Ramnagar, sought metro train for Jammu City.
Dr Nirmal Singh said that with a view to address this problem, the Government, through Srinagar and Jammu Municipal Corporations and Jammu and Srinagar Development Authorities, is managing to provide suitable parking facilities to the people.
Dr Singh said a meeting of legislators of Jammu and Srinagar cities can be held to discuss the issue. However, the Opposition members pressed for constitution of a committee and a discussion in the House.
Earlier, Nirmal said Jammu Municipal Corporation has proposed a parking at Panjtirthi for 240 vehicles on the land measuring 6.5 kanals with provisions of firefighting facilities, two lifts, a ramp and an attendant room.
One more parking project for 150 cars at Peer Kho near Baba Lal Ji temple at Circular road in Jammu costing Rs 15 crore has also been approved and parking for 22 cars completed near Mubarak Mandi Jammu, he said.
Jammu Development Authority has undertaken the project of multi-tier parking at Jammu Bus Stand at a cost of Rs 202 crore with parking space of 1,312 cars and 177 scooters. Another parking is also coming up at City Chowk with a capacity of 350 cars, he said.
Srinagar Municipal Corporation is managing 10 parking places almost all of which have been outsourced, the Deputy Chief Minister said.
The Government admitted that vehicles are being parked along the roads in Jammu and Srinagar.
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