Rajesh Dhar
Though Housing Minister Raman Bhalla, who has been MLA of Gandhi Nagar Assembly segment for two consecutive terms now and would seek third time entry in the Lower House of the Legislature in the elections scheduled to be held later this year, is known for development works in his vast constituency, the largest in Jammu and Kashmir with about 1.6 lakh votes, yet the people faced many problems, which they wanted their MLA to address soon.
The people of Gandhi Nagar Constituency by and large are satisfied with the developmental works with regard to the supply of water, electricity, road connectivity, establishment of lanes and drains but maintenance of sanitation and ever increasing commercialization in Gandhi Nagar and other residential localities has brought numerous problems for the people.
Bhalla, who has been elected for second consecutive term from Gandhi Nagar Assembly segment in 2002 and 2008, is known for covering his constituency, inter-acting with large number of people whenever he is in Jammu and try to resolve as many problems of the people as he can but the people still expect more from their public representative.
“Undoubtedly, Bhalla is a very hard worker. He helps resolve our issues but commercialization of Gandhi Nagar and other residential localities is a bigger issue towards which he had turned a Nelson’s eye,” observed Raman Kumar Gupta, a retired Engineer, saying the commercialization has brought numerous problems for the inhabitants like electricity cuts, voltage fluctuation, insanitation and parking.
He said the people want their public representative to save the residential colonies from unabated commercialization with the connivance of the authorities at the helm of affairs. “Commercialization is not good for residential localities,” he added and hoped that the local MLA would act.
Though majority of people lauded Bhalla for development works in their localities like construction of roads, lanes and drains and water pipes etc, some of them were of the view that in various localities of Gandhi Nagar Assembly segment, the MLA has only fixed his name plate and then forgot to get the construction work done.
Erratic power cuts and water supply and shortage of transport facilities in some areas also remained cause of concern for the residents of Gandhi Nagar Assembly constituency.
Said Dr SK Gupta, a prominent Neurologist and a resident of Channi Himmat Colony: “Bhalla has been doing a good job. He has taken care of our constituency very well”.
“The developmental works have continued smoothly since the sitting MLA, Raman Bhalla has assumed his charge way back for consecutive second term,” said another resident, Swaran Singh of Bhour Camp.
During a survey conducted by EXCELSIOR to ascertain the performance of the MLA during present term of past five and a half years, the people of the constituency in general were of the opinion that it was the energy and zeal for development which has helped the sitting MLA to succeed for consecutive second term despite adverse atmosphere in the last Assembly elections.
“Though there has been development in Gandhi Nagar constituency, yet there is a scope of improvement in all the sectors. The drainage system at Apsara Road, Gandhi Nagar is almost defunct as there is blockage of the same at many places and people become worst sufferers at the time of inclement weather conditions,” asserted a shopkeeper Arvind Mishra when asked to throw light on the development in the area.
He further said that the frequent power cuts in the area has left the people in the lurch as the sweltering heat and humid conditions are taking the toll on the old aged people and the children in particular.
BD Bhalla, a businessman of Nai Basti Satwari while expressing his views on the development in his area said that there has been a good rhythm of growth in all the sectors in Gandhi Nagar Constituency, but for frequent curtailment in power supply.
“The first of its kind mega multi-crore projects of Auditorium, near Gandhi Nagar Hospital and a Teachers Bhawan near Auqaf Building in Gandhi Nagar, initiated by the sitting MLA, which are at the final stage of their construction are simply assets in the area. These projects when properly established will cater to the needs of thousands of school going children and hundreds of needy teachers from far flung areas. The initiative of the sitting MLA of establishing these projects is commendable,” said a school teacher, Raj Kumar, while expressing satisfaction over the development in the area.
However, during a random survey, this correspondent also observed that too many problems are being faced by the residents of Gandhi Nagar commercial area from Auqaf Market to Apsara Road to Last Morh because of abundant commercialization.
Extra commercialization has left the common people in the lurch with regard to supply of power and water in the area as the common people are receiving meager share of the same as the major portion is being used by the shopkeepers and other commercial houses.
Furthermore, it has also been observed that shops and other commercial buildings have left no space for parking of vehicles, serving as a stumbling-block for the customers and the people in general, adding to the woes of the common people.
Veena Tickoo, a resident of Gangyal Floor Mill area said that there has been tremendous development in her area in both the tenures of the sitting MLA. She said the development of lanes and drains, roads, water supply projects and electrical projects has been almost to perfection.
She further said that frequent damage of the transformers earlier was a usual matter and now one hardly observes any damage of the transformers and if at all it takes place any time, there are immediate recovery processes at place. She said what is more laudable is the fact that pre-monsoon preparations are held to cope up with the problems being faced after the rains.
Devinder Singh Pappi, a resident of H No 276, Sector 13 Nanak Nagar, Jammu said that there is no ending to the developmental works in the Gandhi Nagar Constituency. He said the MLA has initiated the construction of number of overhead tanks, roads, transformers, besides establishing lanes and drains in the areas of Nanak Nagar, Digiana, Gangyal, Gadigarh, Sher Gallian, Beli Charana, Babliana and Bhour Camp etc., adding that street lights at many places are a delight to watch.
Sandeep Sharma, a Government employee, resident of Kunjwani Bye Pass area while expressing his views was critical about the sitting MLA’s changed working style after the formation of NDA Government at the Centre, adding the MLA has lost enthusiasm, vigour and zeal in performing his duties after the change of power at the Centre.
Suresh Singh, a resident of Deeli, Sainik Colony expressing his views over the performance of the sitting MLA of his constituency, said that the MLA is easily approachable and always listens to the problems of the people, adding that Bhalla on the demand of the residents of Adarsh Vihar, Deeli replaced a 100 KV transformer by 250 KV transformer for comfort of the people, besides blacktopping the street joining Deeli with Channi. He, however, said that the developmental work of the Adarsh Vihar Lane has been stopped for some unknown reasons, which adds to the woes of the people.
Sourav Gupta, an employee in a factory at Gangyal said that the road connectivity and street lights have added to the comfort of the people in the area.
Mohammad Yousuf, resident of Malik Market, Narwal, and a sports enthusiast said that the MLA has initiated the development of beautiful playfield in Bathindi, which will cater to the needs of thousands of sportspersons of the area, adding that this playfield is among many grounds developed in the constituency including Bhour Camp, Old Satwari, Bandhu Rakh, Sainik Colony and Bahu Fort.
When contacted and asked about the blockage of drains at certain places and frequent power cuts in the area, Bhalla admitted that there is chronical blockage of drain in commercial area at Apsara Road, Gandhi Nagar, the permanent solution of which needs a co-operation from the shopkeepers and the residents of the area.
Referring to frequent power cuts, the MLA said that people lack sincerity in showing their actual loads, which otherwise needs transparency, adding the process is on to under-load the overloaded Canal Power to facilitate the people.
Regarding the up-gradation of power scenario, Bhalla said Government has already upgraded 6.3 MVA station to 10 MVA receiving station for Babliana, Gangyal, Kumarian Mohalla, Jeevan Nagar, Raina Colony and its adjoining areas.
The MLA further said apart from making Bhour Camp and Old Satwari Model Villages with all infrastructural and allied facilities, 14 Colonies have been regularized and 10 Community Hall established in the Constituency, adding that every effort is made to provide facilities to various ‘biradaries’ to celebrate their religious, cultural and social festivals.
“22 Tube Wells and 15 Overhead Tanks have been developed under ERA and a mega project of Filtration Plant has been established at Gorkha Nagar. A scheme of over Rs 400 crores have been utilized to provide water facilities in nooks and corners of the Constituency. 70 lakh project of LED lights have been installed at Bahu Fort,” the MLA informed.
He further informed that a 3-crore project of high mast lights has been initiated on Bye Pass Road from Kunjwani to Narwal, adding that a concrete road from Railway Station to Trikuta Nagar, Garden Estate adjoining Channi Himmat has been developed with a cost of Rs 1 crore 17 lakh.
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