Rajiv Nagar developed with modern basic amenities: Bhalla

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Oct 28: Minister for Revenue, Relief and Rehabilitation Raman Bhalla has called upon the slum dwellers to abstain from putting debris in open spaces, adding that such exercises besides polluting the area make it unhygienic to live in and also causes chronic diseases.
The Minister said this while addressing a gathering after launching upgradation work of Narwal-Karayani Talab link road including construction of deep drain at Rajiv Nagar, here today.
Mr. Bhalla said that focus of the present regime is to develop all the urban pockets slum colonies with modern line basic amenities like safe drinking water, road connectivity, education, healthcare, power besides better lanes and drains. He called upon the inhabitants to cooperate with the executing agencies in competing ongoing projects within stipulated time frame.
The Minister said that for upgradation of Narwal-Karayani Talab link road via Rajiv Nagar, the Government has earmarked Rs. 25 lakh. He asked the R&B Department to gear up their men and machinery in completing the projects well in time so that the locals could get relief from dilapidated condition of link road. He said the people of Rajiv Nagar Narwalbala, Rajiv Nagar and Karayani Talab have to face lot of hardships during rainy season due to the flash floods, adding that for this purpose Government has started efforts to save these localities in future with flash floods.
Mr. Bhalla said Central and State Governments have launched number of welfare schemes to upgrade the living standard of the poor. He appealed the people to avail the benefits of such schemes. He said the Government has also provided financial assistance to houseless State subjects (landholders) under Basic Services to Urban Poor Scheme under which Rs. 3.12 lakh has been provided for construction of pacca houses.
For proper rehabilitation of slum dwellers, the Minister said Government has sanctioned Rs.19 crore under BSUP for construction of Urban Poor Township at Sunjwan, adding that work on it is nearing completion. He said after inauguration, the urban poor of city of temples would be accommodated there by providing two room flats on nominal rates.
Later, Mr. Bhalla also conducted an extensive tour to Bathindi, Zubirabad, Gulmarg Colony and Manjit Singh Nagar and asked the accompaning Executive Engineer and Assistant Executive Engineer Roads and Buildings Department to immediately start the upgradation work of internal link roads including surface drains of these localities, adding that for this purpose Government has already released funds.
Responding to the locals demand with regard to construction of 4- kilometer long Bathinidi-Bermeeni road, the Minister said that Rs. 2.35 crore have been approved for its construction, adding that work on the project is under progress on war-footing and would be completed within prescribed time frame.
Regarding construction of stadium at Bathindi town, Mr Bhalla said that instructions have been issued to Revenue Officers to identify the State land in the area so that the project could be started after completing funding and tendering formalities. He said construction of stadium at Sunjwan in Government Higher Secondary School is under progress at a cost of Rs. 35 lakh. He said the stadium would be handed over to locals including sports lovers shortly for holding sports competitions.