Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Feb 14: Minister for Housing, Horticulture and Culture, Raman Bhalla, has said that Rahim Nagar and Rajiv Nagar slum areas would soon have all civic facilities under Centrally sponsored scheme Rajiv Awas Yojna (RAY), adding that under the recently launched schemes by UPA Government, there is no constraint of funds to meet the aspirations of the slum dwellers.
This was stated by the Minister while interacting with the Rahim Nagar and Rajiv Nagar slum dwellers after assessing their development related issues, here today.
The Minister said that the first phase of the flagship scheme envisaging development of civic facilities in slum areas is being launched in six cities of Jammu, Kathua, Udhampur, Anantnag, Baramulla and Srinagar. He informed that the executing agency, Infrastructural Professional Global Enterprises (IPGE), has completed the survey of identified slum basties and submitted a project report to Housing Department for funding under Rajiv Awas Yojna. He said instructions have been issued to Jammu and Kashmir Housing Department to complete tendering formalities for early start of development projects in the slum basties.
Mr. Bhalla said the slum areas would be developed by creating all basic amenities like better accommodation, digging of tube wells, power, road connectivity besides lanes and drains.
The Minister said that Government was making all out efforts to improve the living condition in the slum areas as the Government was keen to tackle the problems of such localities in a definitive manner under RAY scheme. He said Central and State Governments are committed to improve the living condition of homeless residing in ‘joogies’ and kaccha houses.
Listing the works completed in Rahim Nagar and Rajiv Nagar, Bhalla informed the residents that Government has spent Rs 55 lakh for construction of one and half kilometer Rajiv Nagar-Rahim Nagar via Krayani Talab link road. He said the project also included construction of deep drain on both sides of the road. He said the Government has earmarked Rs. 29 lakh for up-gradation of lanes and drains in the internal areas, adding that the projects are in progress and would be completed within stipulated time frame. He asked the executing agency to use quality material on development works.
Responding to the locals demand of Rahim Nagar, Mr Bhalla asked the JMC to remove garbage from the nallah flowing in the area to maintain cleanliness. He called upon the inhabitants of Rahim Nagar and Rajiv Nagar not to throw building material in nallah as such practices not only create problems for sanitation team but also spread foul smell affecting their own health.
Later, the Minister visited Bua Ditta mohalla of Raipur-Satwari and inspected ongoing development works launched for upgradation of lanes and drains under R&B sector.
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