Action Please

Urgent Need for Repair of Hare Rama Hare Krishna Street, Udhampur
Despite repeated appeals by local residents, the long-pending repair and reconstruction of Hare Rama Hare Krishna Street in Udhampur continues to be ignored by the District Administration and the Udhampur Municipal Council. The apathy of the authorities has caused immense inconvenience to the public and reflects poorly on civic governance.
The said street is not an ordinary by-lane but an important connectivity link between Udhampur city and prominent institutions such as the Hare Rama Hare Krishna Temple, Dhar Road, the Head Post Office and the Government District Hospital. In the absence of a proper and motorable road, commuters are compelled to take long and circuitous routes, resulting in wastage of time, fuel and energy.
The deteriorated condition of the street has made daily movement extremely difficult, especially for pedestrians, senior citizens and patients visiting the hospital. Frequent parking of vehicles on this narrow stretch further aggravates the problem, leading to congestion and safety hazards.
It is unfortunate that despite repeated representations, the administration has failed to take cognizance of the hardship faced by the residents. The street needs immediate construction and proper blacktopping in the larger public interest.
The authorities concerned are urged to intervene without further delay and ensure the early repair and upgradation of Hare Rama Hare Krishna Street, so that the long-standing grievance of the residents is addressed and public convenience restored.
K. Kumar
Udhampur
Construct bunkers in Poonch
Building Underground bunkers along LOC, Poonch city areas with essential life support systems is imperative because, as everyone knows, the Pakistani army cowardly attacked several parts of the Poonch district, especially the Poonch city, during Operation Sindoor in May of last year. In addition to damaging the homes of innocent common people, the Pakistani soldiers targetted the Civil population during the ‘Act of War’ and unprecedented shelling resulted in numerous injuries, including both civilians and security personnel, some of whom also became martyrs during Operation Sindoor. Undoubtedly, in the wake of Operation Sindoor, the Government of India has not only stepped up its focus on security along the line of control (LOC) but also strengthened border infrastructure in Jammu and Kashmir. The Civilian population residing along the line of control (LOC) in Poonch city areas will be safe and protected by the construction of Underground bunkers. Building Underground bunkers either individual or community bunkers in these specific locations would also try to improve areas of the border that are susceptible to cross-border targetted shelling. Building underground bunkers must be given top priority in order to save innocent lives because of the ongoing situation with Pakistani drones, from Pakistan’s side which continue to intrude on Jammu and Kashmir’s border areas from the last few days. There is every apprehension that Pakistan is manipulating escalation in tension and that things could blow up at any time. In order to protect people from future shelling and artillery fire, the Central Government and Lieutenant Governor of the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir are urged to kindly expedite the construction of underground bunkers with modern technology (essential life support systems), both individual and community bunkers, giving priority to areas along the line of control (LOC), Poonch City, where there are no individual or community underground bunkers.
Ronik Sharma
Poonch.
Jammu Residents face winter hardships
Winter in Jammu has always been challenging, but the situation has worsened significantly after the privatization of electricity. While the government claims to provide 200 units of free electricity to every household, the ground reality presents a very different picture.
On one hand, announcements are made about free electricity, and on the other, residents are facing three to four power shutdowns daily, each lasting a minimum of two hours. With such frequent interruptions, the concept of free electricity becomes meaningless. Many households feel that they have not received any real benefit from these so-called free units.
The situation is particularly difficult in the old city areas of Jammu, where many students and families reside. These localities are closer to the Jammu Tawi, making winters colder than in other parts of the city. Narrow and congested lanes block sunlight, resulting in little to no exposure to natural warmth or Vitamin D. In such conditions, electricity is not a luxury but a basic necessity for survival.
The installation of prepaid electricity meters, especially in Jammu, has added further pressure on students and middle-class families. Despite frequent power cuts, consumers are compelled to recharge their meters regularly without receiving uninterrupted supply.
Another major concern is the lack of communication from the PDD Department. Power cuts occur without prior notice-no messages, no public announcements, and no clear information. Even during important occasions and festivals, residents were left without proper lighting, causing inconvenience and safety concerns. Festivals such as Lohri and other celebrations have been repeatedly disrupted due to sudden power cuts, affecting both the spirit and security of these events.
Senior citizens and patients are among the worst affected. During extreme cold and dense fog, prolonged power outages make it difficult to maintain warm indoor conditions. Patients who require nebulisation, electrically operated medical equipment, or heated rooms suffer greatly. For them, electricity is directly linked to health and survival, yet their needs continue to be ignored.
Residents have been informed by some PDD officials that these problems arise due to the Darbar Move and heavy load on the system. While these factors may play a role, they are recurring every year and cannot be cited repeatedly as justifications. The absence of long-term planning raises serious questions about governance and accountability.
For years, successive governments have promised uninterrupted power supply, repeatedly highlighting Jammu and Kashmir’s vast hydroelectric potential and the possibility of tapping solar energy. However, these promises remain largely on paper. Despite claims that transmission and distribution losses have reduced due to the installation of new meters and upgraded cables, the government has still failed to ensure reliable electricity, especially during peak winter months.
The people of Jammu are left wondering where these plans and assurances have gone and why they have not been executed even now, when technology and resources are available.
We urge the senior authorities of the PDD Department to take this issue seriously, conduct a proper investigation, and implement a planned, transparent, and long-term solution. Reliable electricity during winter is not merely about comfort-it is about health, safety, and dignity of life.
Niyati Verma
Afghan Mohalla
Jammu
Repair Ramakrishna Mission road
Attention of the concerned authorities is drawn towards the bad condition of Link Road Poonch lines (from Akhnoor road to Udheywala).
This road is riddled with numerous potholes all along its entire stretch causing inexplicable inconvenience to the residents of the area. During rainy season, these puddles cause accidents. In recent times many motorists became victims of these puddles. Some got fractures on their limbs while other received injuries. Besides, vehicles suffer huge wear and tear causing great loss to motorists.
Therefore, it is requested that this road be widened and blacktopped for the sake of residents living here.
Swaran Singh
Udheywala