Sub-Way on NH becomes safe-haven for Drug Addicts
Sanjeev K Sharma
JAMMU, Jan 4: Nallahs in Ward number 58 of Jammu Municipal Corporation (JMC) cause floods in rainy season and the water enters residential houses inflicting damage.
This was informed by Tirath Kour Raina, Councillor from the Ward who also said that a Nallah at Jeewan Nagar has many pillars to support the concrete slab-cover over it and garbage gets struck with these pillars thereby blocking the Nallah due to which water comes out and enters residential houses inflicting damage.
She further said that another Nallah flowing from Mohalla Roop Nagar to Digiana Ashram is very old and in dilapidated condition and in rainy season it causes floods and the water enters residential houses here also causing damage.
“The Nallah needs immediate reconstruction which has not been done so far due to red tape culture in offices of the concerned authorities,” Kour maintained adding: “Meshed fencing on banks of the Nallah is required to prevent people from throwing garbage into it.”
In an exclusive interaction with the Excelsior, Tirath Kour, who politically belongs to BJP and is a first time Councillor said, the Nallah in Dashmesh Nagar area needs widening as vehicles fall in it due to its present structure.
She informed that areas of her Ward include Jeewan Nagar, Akali Kour Singh Nagar, Green Avenue and its extensions, Dashmesh Nagar, New Dashmesh Nagar, Digiana Camp, some part of Model Town, Roop Nagar Mohalla Duni Chand, Mohalla Gobind Nagar, Dutta Colony, Main Road Digiana Ashram upto main Bazar near Shiva Public School on both sides of National Highway (NH).
The Councillor said that a sub-way on NH meant for crossing the road is being used by addicts and it should be closed.
She claimed that work of repair and construction of lanes and drains is only 60 per cent complete in her Ward while that of blacktopping is 70 per cent done due to lack of funds.
Kour said that almost all the roads and streets of the Ward are covered by Street Lights but repair of the damaged ones among these lights is taking time.
The Councillor said that her Ward is also facing problems due to stray dogs.
She said that there are three Public Parks in her Ward and the one at Dashmesh Nagar needs a Watchman as some men in inebriated condition remain there and thefts of dustbins etc have also taken place from there.
“There is open air gym in one Park of the Ward, tiled path and benches for sitting in others while lights are not there in two of these Parks,” the Councillor said.
She further informed that there is no Community Hall, no Playground and no Parking Place for vehicles in her Ward but there are two Public Toilets and one Health Centre while there is encroachment over and near the Nallahs in the Ward.
“There are 39 Safai Karamcharis in my Ward but there is a need of 20 more and cleanliness in the Ward is on an average level despite the shortage of workforce,” Kour said.
She said, two streets of Jeewan Nagar area of the Ward has water problem as houses there are located at tail end of the supply.
The Councillor said that tendering for the replacement of old pipes in the Ward has been done while Smart Meters have been installed in the Ward with little protest.
She said that development works have been done at a graveyard in the Ward with an expenditure of Rs. 13 lakh under which shed was constructed.
“Autos collecting garbage by moving from door-to-door are doing good job and after this service was introduced, garbage dumps have reduced in the Ward,” Kour continued.
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.
“Many widows, physically challenged and old age persons of my Ward are getting pensions but the newly introduced rule for these pensions exclusively to Below Poverty Line people is creating problems for others,” she said.
Kour said that iron gratings are needed to cover deep drains in the Ward and there are reports of thefts involving these grating from drains.
She informed that many drug addicts and peddlers are active in the Ward for which the police should take cognizance.
Kour said that one colony in her Ward needs regularization.
She claimed that there are hanging wires and damaged-unwanted poles in many places of the Ward and these could not be corrected though the matter was brought many times into the notice of concerned department.
“There are many Water Coolers in the Ward and the one at Digiana Puli area is not working and has not been repaired despite repeated complaints to the concerned department,” Kour continued.
“For house numbering a survey is presently underway,” she stated adding that there are many vacant plots in the Ward which have become garbage dumping places while other such plots are occupied by labourers who have illegal water and power connection and they defecate in open.
The Councillor said that her Ward needs 10 more high mast lights and there is wrong parking on NH in the Ward for which the traffic police should take cognizance.
Follow our WhatsApp channel
