Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Oct 7: The Institution of Engineers (India), Jammu Local Centre celebrated World Habitat Day in its auditorium at Channi Himmat. A seminar on the theme topic “Urban Mobility” was organized in which large number of engineers from various walks of life participated.
On this occasion V. N. Sharma, Former Administrator of erstwhile Jammu Municipality now Municipal Corporation, was the Chief Guest and Er. Braj Bhushan Sharma, Chairman of Jammu Local Centre presided over the function.
At the outset, Er. Anil Verma, Former Honorary Secretary of Jammu Centre read the message of the Secretary General of United Nations on World Habitat Day.
Six numbers papers on the theme topic were presented by Er. S. K. Sharma, Er. S. C. Thukral, Er. B. L. Rawal, Er. Sewa Ram Supinder Jeet Singh and Er. Rajesh Kumar Angural.
The speakers dwelt at length about the issues related to Urban Mobility and the various challenges faced by the cities. They emphasized that although Indian cities have lower vehicle ownership rate than their counter parts in developed countries still they suffer from worse congestion than cities in industrialized countries.
The speakers also advocated for increase in environment friendly urban transport infrastructure so that the increasing population growth in the cities is provided adequate and safe transport especially to the elderly people and women folk. Use of environment friendly sources of energy like LPG & CNG etc in the vehicles was also discussed by the speakers so that safety and security of the citizens is addressed by virtue of use of safe fuels.
Er. V. N. Sharma, lamented that Jammu city is choking to the brim as far as Urban Mobility is concerned. He suggested three points which civil society can follow so that Urban Mobility can be improved by easing the present scenario. Firstly, he suggested that strict enforcement of traffic rules should be done by traffic authorities so that the present chaotic traffic scenario on the city roads is removed. Secondly, he suggested to make some areas as “No Traffic Zones” by pedestrianzing some of the congested bazaars of Jammu city. This way Urban Mobility in these areas will increase. Lastly, he suggested that no permission should be granted for construction of any shopping mall or banquet hall unless they have sufficient space for parking within their premises.
Er. Anil Verma Former Honorary Secretary presented welcome address, conducted the proceedings of the function and presented the vote of thanks.
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