Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Mar 6: Jammu & Kashmir unit of Shiv Sena (UBT) has strongly criticized the installation of large LED screens at major intersections and busy roads in the city under the Smart City project, calling it an unnecessary and wasteful expenditure of public money as well as a serious threat to road safety.
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Addressing a press conference at the State Central Office, Shiv Sena (UBT) J&K State president Manish Sahni said that the concept of a “Smart City” should primarily focus on providing basic civic facilities such as pothole-free roads, an efficient traffic management system, clean drinking water for every household, uninterrupted electricity supply, a modern drainage network, world-class Government hospitals and accessible mohalla clinics.
Sahni said it is unfortunate that instead of addressing these pressing civic issues, the administration appears more interested in installing large LED display screens at busy roads and intersections at the cost of crores of rupees. “These installations neither solve public problems nor contribute to improving the city’s infrastructure,” he said.
He further stated that such LED screens installed at busy junctions can distract motorists and pose a serious risk to road safety. According to him, this practice violates the spirit of road safety norms and provisions of the Motor Vehicles Act, 1988.
Sahni accused the administration of prioritizing revenue generation over public safety and welfare. He demanded that the authorities immediately conduct a comprehensive Road Safety Audit of all LED screens being installed across the city.
He also informed that a memorandum highlighting these concerns and demands has been submitted to the Commissioner of the Jammu Municipal Corporation.
Warning the administration, Sahni said that if the Government continues to ignore public safety and civic priorities, Shiv Sena (UBT) will intensify its protest and launch a strong democratic agitation on the streets, holding the administration fully responsible for the consequences.
Bharat Gupta, Sanjay Bhatt and Aditya Mahajan were present on the occasion.
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