*IG Traffic proposes complete ban on workshops on road sides
Mohinder Verma
JAMMU, June 11: In a big question mark on the performance of Jammu Municipal Corporation (JMC) and other concerned agencies, 17 banquet halls and 36 car bazaars have been openly flouting the rules and regulations in the winter capital city and its immediate peripheries thereby playing major role in the worsening traffic chaos. Moreover, several reputed hotels and movie halls are also not coming forward to ensure strict adherence to the building bye-laws but no action has been taken against them till date.
Official sources told EXCELSIOR that as per the Zoning Regulations/Building Bye-Laws, shopping complex and multi-storied buildings within the limits of Jammu Municipal Corporation should have parking place as per the laid down specifications. These provisions are aimed at ensuring that such buildings don’t create traffic chaos.
However, these Zoning Regulations/Building Bye-Laws are being observed in breach by majority of the multi-storied building mainly because the concerned authorities of the Municipal Corporation prefer greasing their palms instead of ensuring strict compliance to the law. “Most of the commercial establishments like a shopping complex at Bakshi Nagar, a mall near Dogra Chowk, several newly constructed hotels, movie halls and banquet halls either don’t possess space or have minimal space for parking places”, sources informed.
On the directions of the State High Court Traffic Police authorities recently conducted a detailed survey to ascertain the reasons behind the prevailing traffic chaos in the Jammu city and banquet halls and car bazaars have been found as major contributor to the problem, sources said.
It has been observed that during marriage functions the guests park their vehicles on road side which causes traffic congestion for hours together. However, this aspect never received due attention of Jammu Municipal Corporation, which has completely shut the eyes towards this major issue, sources further said while disclosing that 17 banquet halls, palaces and plazas are without parking slots from Canal Head Jammu to Paloura and Akhnoor Road.
These are Shalimar Banquet Hall near Muthi, Gurukul Event Centre Barnai, Unique Resort Barnai, Nakul Palace Barnai, Suraj Palace, Paloura, Sheesh Mahal Palace, Paloura, Kohli Farms near Toph Bridge, Chawan Farms Domana, Hari Plaza Purkhoo Camp, K D Palace Purkhoo Camp, Tara Palace Mishriwala, Draven Palace Talab Tillo, Jaswant Plaza Camp Road Talab Tillo, Garden Estate Marriage Hall Trikuta Nagar, Choudhary Palace Kunjwani, Pari Mahal Kunjwani and Celebration Trikuta Nagar.
“Business of car bazaars has a vast market in Jammu city which is being done without proper space and authorization”, sources said, adding in the present security scenario, these car bazaars are hazardous not only from traffic point of view being run on the main roads but the dreadful/major threat to be used against general public by the anti-national and anti-social elements.
They further said, “owners of car bazaars have occupied the Government lands and encroached the footpaths as well as a portion of roads where vehicular movement is badly affected leading to traffic congestions”, adding “the owners and workers of these car bazaars as well as sellers of used motor cycles never cooperate with the enforcement agencies”.
A total of 36 car bazaars, which have been found as source of major nuisance, are Baba Car Bazaar near Dogra Chowk, Perfect Car Bazaar Exhibition Ground, City Car Bazaar Dogra Chowk, K C Car Bazaar Exhibition Ground, Sangam Motors and Properties Exhibition Ground, Chicago Car Bazaar Bakshi Nagar, J S Car Bazaar Gumat, Mahakali Car Bazaar Residency Road, Mahashakti Car Bazaar Digiana Ashram, Choice Car Bazaar, New Friends Car Bazaar, Guru Kirpa Car Bazaar, Friends Group Car Bazaar, Brij Car Bazaar, Asia Car Bazaar, all at Digiana Ashram, Apsara Car Bazaar, Auqaf Market, Jhelum Car Bazaar Gandhi Nagar, Baba Sale and Purchase, Choudhary Sale and Purchase, Shri Ganesh Sale and Purchase, all at Nehru Market, Jai Data near JDA Complex, Tawi Motors near Hotel Ritz, Auto Credits and GB Cars at Chowadi, Lukary Motors at Deeli, Ansh Car Bazaar and Yug Motors and Car Mart at Channi Himmat, Right Choice Car Bazaar, Car Zone Car Bazaar, VVS Car Bazaar, Victoria Car Street, Car Hub, Car Trade, Forest Choice and AS Car Bazaar all at Sainik Colony.
According to the sources, IG Traffic has proposed ban on operation of car bazaars and shops operating in the city and their immediate shifting to the outskirts.
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