Vikas Sharma
JAMMU, Jan 9: The Fruit Mandi Plaza in Narwal, which was constructed by R&B Department under the Jammu Smart City Project has been completed since more than half a year, but still it is awaiting inauguration by a high profile or VIP.
The project was started in June 2022 and completed in Feb 2023 at the cost of Rs 9.25 crores. Under the project, work was undertaken for upgradation of existing sheds, construction of canteens, toilets complex, kiosks and parking place.
“It is very surprising that the complex which was completed more than six months ago, is waiting to get inaugurated for the reasons best known to the officials of Jammu Smart City, as they are fully responsible for its inauguration,” said Sameer Gupta, a fruit trader in the Narwal Mandi area.
“Due to delay in inauguration, hundreds of fruit and vegetable sellers are forced to sell their food stuff in the open area, which is resulting into a huge loss for the trading community in Narwal area,” he added.
Talking to the Excelsior, Deputy Director, Horticulture Department, Planning and Marketing, Ayaz Ahmed Natnu informed that ‘Since the project was constructed by R&B Department under the direct supervision of Jammu Smart City Project is completed but still they are waiting to get its handover by the officers of Jammu Smart City.
On the reason over the delay of its inauguration, he said, “We are unable to understand why they are delaying its inauguration when it has been completed some months before.”
When contacted CEO, Jammu Smart City, Rahul Yadav, said, “We are the funding agency, while, the entire project was completed by the R&B Department, which was responsible for the entire construction work. They completed the work on time, now we have handover it to the Horticulture Department.”
“It is fully completed and ready to get inaugurated. Earlier, we planned to get it inaugurated by the Union Home Minister, Amit Shah who was scheduled to visit Jammu on Tuesday, but his visit was deferred in view of the prevailing inclement weather conditions and forecast in Jammu. Now we are trying to get the dates from the Lieutenant Governor of Jammu and Kashmir, Manoj Sinha, who will inaugurate this complex in Jammu.”
“As soon as we get the final dates from the LG office, we will inaugurate this complex so that the hundreds of fruit and vegetable sellers, who are forced to sell their fruits and vegetables in the open, can get the benefit of this complex,” he added.
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