- Inclusion in Smart City project can change scenario in Ware House: Deepak
- Councilor holds NBCC responsible for dilapidated condition of road
STATE TIMES NEWS
JAMMU: As Jammu Municipal Corporation (JMC) and Jammu Development Authority (JDA) are in no mood to take responsibility of dilapidated public infrastructure in and around ever-busy Ware House market, the people associated with businesses there and those who visit the place are suffering badly. As far as civic edifice is concerned there is hardly any entity which is in order in Ware House, as roads are is dismal shape with pot holes ruling the roost, drains are choked emanating unbearable smell, street-lights are nowhere in sight and if there are any, same are non-functional. In nutshell, there is complete chaos in Ware House area and people are confronting day in day out with dearth of civic infrastructure. As problem persists in normal days, it got entangled and become colossal during rainy days as filth and muck from blocked drains come on roads after inundation and even walking on roads becomes hazardous because there are several manholes without proper covers. JMC and other concerned departments of J&K administration have taken things for granted and seldom come to this place to have firsthand knowledge about sufferings of people associated with shops and business establishments. NBCC, which carried out sewage work in this market, is responsible for dilapidated condition of Ware House road but for the reasons unknown the civic body has left work in middle as if someone from Singapore will come and complete the same. It is unfortunate that Government after assuring development of the level of US and UK, and taking taxes comparable to those countries, is offering filth, pot holes and muck in return. This is unacceptable and uncalled for.
Ramesh Kumar, a shopkeeper said that traders are facing manifold problems. He said that due to absence of street lights, the place virtually becomes a haunted site. He said that it has also become difficult for shopkeepers to run establishments amidst dust and filthy smell of choked drains.
Sukhdev Kumar, another shopkeeper said that administration is in deep slumber and is indifferent towards woes of traders of Ware House. He termed it unfortunate that officers sitting at the helm of affairs are not showing seriousness towards deplorable condition of Ware House.
Deepak Gupta, President Ware House Traders Federation, while talking to STATE TIMES, said that the market is the biggest Anaj Mandi across Jammu and Kashmir UT but the problems here are umpteen as administration is phlegmatic in mitigating them. He said that the market falls under JDA jurisdiction but the concerned authority instead of fulfilling its responsibility, feels convenient in giving lame excuses and doing nothing on ground. “Lack of funds is JDA’s favourite alibi to escape its responsibility towards Ware House market,” Gupta said, adding that Vice Chairman JDA visited Ware House on December 15, 2021, and he apprised him of problems which business community is facing due to shortfall of civic edifice, but all in vain.
Deepak Gupta said that he has appealed to JMC Commissioner to include Ware House in the Smart City Project as people from various states and traders from across Jammu and Kashmir Union Territory visit the place quite often and development of the market on modern lines will add sheen to Jammu’s beauty besides sending a good message across UT and even country.
Talking to STATE TIMES, Councilor Amit Gupta held NBCC responsible for the dilapidated condition of Warehouse road. He said after carrying-out sewage works in warehouse, the NBCC authorities failed to re-construct the road due to which traders are facing huge problems. He said despite taking up that matter with PWD and UEED, nothing has been done in this regard. He appealed to Lt Governor to intervene in the matter and address genuine issues of traders’ community as administration has miserably failed to address the problems being faced by people and traders of Jammu city.