Despite directions from LG, road in Channi remains closed for 2.5 yrs
Sanjeev K. Sharma
JAMMU, Jan 7: The Ward number 51 of Jammu Municipal Corporation (JMC) is facing a peculiar problem due to closure of a vital road passing through J&K Armed Police Headquarters.
In this regard Councillor of the Ward, Rajkumar Tarkhan said that the road was closed more than two and half years back as part of restrictions due to COVID-19 pandemic but it has not been reopened till date despite repeated efforts including directions to the concerned department from the Lieutenant Governor of J&K, Manoj Sinha.
He informed that the road forms a vital link between all the four Channis-Channi Rama, Channi Kamala, Channi Himmat and Channi Beeja.
In an exclusive interaction with the Excelsior, Tarkhan, who won JMC elections as an Independent candidate but later on joined BJP and is a first time Councillor, claimed: “Even children have to travel extra 2.5 kms due to road closure to reach their institution-Government Higher Secondary School in the area while the pall bearers have also to walk the same extra path to reach crematorium in Channi Himmat for performing last rites of the deceased persons.”
He said that his Ward consists of Channi Himmat Village Sector-2, Colony Mohalla Khad Paar, Mohalla Gujran Sector-3, Sector-2 Flat Area, Mohalla Sandh, Mohalla Charkan, Paroli, Tube Well Panchayat Ghar, Sector-3 Mohalla, Bhalla Enclave, Dairy Mohalla, Talab Market, Sector 1-A Channi Himmat, Bhagat Pura, Thengar upto Bypass.
The Councillor said that there is no road divider from Channi Himmat Cremation Ground to main road and from Bypass to Sector-7 along railway line upto T-Morh Channi Morh.
He further said that work of construction and repair of lanes and drains is 90 per cent complete in his Ward while that of blacktopping is also 90 per cent done.
Tarkhan claimed that 95 per cent of the Ward area has been covered by Street Lights of which 2-4 per cent are non-functional and repair of these was going on in routine.
The JMC Councillor said that there are four Public Parks in his Ward and all of these are properly developed with lights and tiled path while there are open air gyms in three of these Parks and two Parks lack benches for sitting.
It is pertinent to mention here that though more than four years of the mandatory tenure of five for the elected body of JMC have passed, many developmental works have not been completed yet while many of such works have even not seen the light of the day.
Tarkhan further said that for developmental works at a pond in the Ward tendering has been done.
He informed that there are six Community Halls, three Public Toilets, one Health Centre and Public Bathrooms in his Ward for facilitating the public but there is no parking place for vehicles in the Ward.
The Councillor said that his Ward has 32 Safai Karamcharis which are sufficient while Smart Meters have been installed in the area without protests.
He said that there is one Crematorium in his Ward which needs development and there are also Shishu Smadhis which have been developed with works like sheds etc.
“Autos collecting garbage by moving from door-to-door are doing a good job and after this service was introduced, garbage dumps have been reduced in the Ward,” the Councillor continued.
Tarkhan said that there is problem due to stray dogs in his 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,” he continued.
The Councillor said that reports of thefts involving iron gratings from drains were there from his Ward and many drug addicts and peddlers are active in the Ward for which the police should take cognizance.
He informed that there are some vacant plots in his Ward where labourers live and have illegal water and power connections and these people also defecate in open thereby badly affecting cleanliness and sanitation of the area.
Rajkumar further said that almost all the residents of his 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 there.
“I helped many people including widows, physically challenged and old age persons of my Ward to get pension but the newly introduced rule for these pensions exclusively to Below Poverty Line people is creating problems for others,” he said.
The Councillor said that there are hanging wires and damaged poles in his Ward and Water Coolers are also there to facilitate the people.
“Temporary house numbering has been given in my Ward and issue of regularisation of colonies is also there but the concerned authorities have fixed very high rates for that,” he continued.
Tarkhan said that 1-2 more high mast lights are needed at certain places in the Ward while the Ward also faces problems due to wrong parking and rash driving, so more speed retarders should be placed on the roads there.
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