Sanjeev K Sharma
JAMMU, Dec 31: There are some vacant plots in Ward number 50 of Jammu Municipal Corporation (JMC) where labourers from outside of J&K live and have illegal water and power connections.
Informing more in this regard, Neena Gupta, Councillor from the Ward said as these plots lack toilet facility, the labourers living there defecate in open thereby disturbing the cleanliness and sanitation of the area.
She also said that in some of these vacant plots, the adjoining residents throw their household garbage and there is growth of unwanted bushes also which disturbs other adjoining residents.
In an exclusive interaction with the Excelsior, Neena Gupta, who politically belongs to BJP and is a first time Councillor from the Ward informed that areas of her Ward include Sectors 1-7 of Channi Himmat.
She said that a deep drain coming from the National Highway and passing through the Ward brings certain chemicals from Service Stations above which leave disturbing smell in the Ward and irritates the residents there.
“No corrective measure has been taken in this regard despite bringing the matter into the notice of concerned authorities many times,” the Councillor maintained adding: “A Nallah opposite to a popular bakery in the area needs repair and cover over it but nothing has been done in this regard so far.”
She claimed that 70 per cent work of repair and construction of drains and 80 per cent of such work for lanes has been completed in her Ward while 80 per cent work of blacktopping has also been completed in the Ward.
Neena Gupta said that almost whole of her Ward has been covered with Street Lights and on newly installed poles these lights are being fixed at present while repair of the damaged ones among these lights is taking a lot of time.
The JMC Councillor said that stray dogs have created a lot of problems in her Ward.
“These canines not only litter here and there but also bite people and chase two wheelers and have created a wave of terror among women, children and old age people,” she continued.
She also said that whenever JMC personnel visit the Ward to lift stray dogs, some activists come and hinder their work.
“There are 20 Public Parks with no care for those forming the green belt in the area,” the JMC Councillor said adding that there are Open Air Gyms in 15 Public Parks of the Ward while lights, tiled path and benches for sitting are there in all of these Parks and 7-8 Parks of the Ward even have High Mast Lights (HMLs).
She informed that 10 more HMLs are needed in her Ward.
Neena Gupta said that there is no parking place for vehicles in her Ward while there are two Public Toilets and one Health Centre to facilitate the public but the Ward has no Public Bath Room.
“A Community cum Recreation Hall is presently under construction in the Ward with a budget of Rs. 4 crore,” she stated.
The Councillor said that there are 30 Safai Karamcharis in her Ward while there is a need of 20 more and this shortage has badly affected cleanliness in the area which is still at an average due to the proper use of available workforce.
Neena Gupta said that water supply is made on alternate days in some Sectors of Channi Himmat while in rest of the places, water is supplied daily.
“Work on two tube-wells in the Ward is presently underway and when these tube-wells will be made operational, water scenario will improve in the area,” she continued adding that old water supply pipes need replacement in the area as these have developed leaks at many places.
The Councillor said that a Crematorium in her Ward needs development.
Neena also said that autos moving from door-to-door to collect garbage from residential houses are doing a good work and from the day this service was introduced in the Ward, no dustbin and no garbage dump is seen there.
The Councillor further said that almost all the residents of her Ward have made their Ayushman Cards and most of the eligible Voters have got their Voter Cards and same is the status of Domicile Certificates in the Ward.
“There are hanging wires and damaged poles in my Ward and there are two water coolers for public use but one of these is not working and the concerned authorities have not bothered to correct the fault in it,” she continued.
Neena Gupta said that entry gate has not been made in her Ward and many drug addicts and peddlers are active there for which the police should take a cognisance.
She further claimed that there were reports of thefts involving iron gratings from drains in her Ward.
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