Nishikant Khajuria
JAMMU, Nov 16: As the channelizing of major nullahs within Jammu City is leading to reclamation of large patches of land, the Administration has been sounded to take immediate steps for protection of the reclaimed land from getting it encroached.
Official sources told the Excelsior that market value of the reclaimed land is estimated to be in crores of rupees as total length of the channelized Nullahs is more than 20 kilometers, which are passing from various localities like Sanjay Nagar, Marble Market, Gangyal, Digiana, Jeevan Nagar etc.
“In case of any delay on the part of the concerned departments, owning the land, there is every apprehension of these portions getting encroached,” says an official communiqué, forwarded to the Divisional Commissioner Jammu by the Chief Executive Officer of J&K Economic Reconstruction Agency (ERA), which has been channelizing the nullahs.
The reclaimed land belongs to Jammu Development Authority (DA), Jammu Municipal Corporation (JMC) and J&K Housing Board as these nullahs fall within the Jammu City.
The major nullahs, being channelized by ERA and leading to reclamation of land thereof, include Gangyal Nullah ( from Jodhamal Public School to MBS College of Engineering), Digiana Nullah (from downstream of Railway track and back side of Jai Hind Bakery to Ashram Nullah near Ashram at Jeeven Nagar), Ashram Nullah ( from down stream of Railway track near Marble Market to Gangyal Nullah near MBS College of Engineering) and Thanger Nullah ( from Hotel Ritz near National Highway to Sanjay Nagar near house of AEE Bhatti).
With 6750 meters length, Gangyal Nullah from Jodhamal Public School to MBS College of Engineering is longest among all the four. The length of Digiana Nullah, Ashram Nullah and Thanger Nullah (T4) is 4460 meters, 3955 meters and 4920 meters, respectively.
As combined length of these nullahs is more than 20 kilometers, the patches of reclaimed land on their both sides are huge with market value in crores of rupees.
According to the sources, the matter in this regard was discussed with Deputy Chief Minister Dr Nirmal Singh, heading the Ministry of Housing and Urban Development Deptt, who was particular to ensure that proper utilization of the reclaimed land is made.
Thereafter, sources added, an urgent communiqué on the subject matter was made by Chief Executive Officer, J&K ERA, Vinod Sharma to Divisional Commissioner Jammu Pawan Kotwal, seeking necessary and early action for protection of the reclaimed patches of land.
As per the communiqué, No. ERA/CEO/248/Adm/1542-49, dated 12-11-2015, “during the process of training of nullahs by ERA, large patches of land are getting reclaimed and at places, the width of the strips reclaimed is too wide for proper utilization and development of green belts, parking etc.”
“It is requested that all the concerned departments, owning the land, be directed to immediately protect and gainfully utilize reclaimed land along these nullahs. In case of any delay, there is every apprehension of these portions getting encroached. An early action in the matter is solicited,” adds the communiqué, copies of which have also been forwarded to Vice-Chairman JDA, Managing Director Housing Board Jammu and Commissioner Jammu Municipal Corporation.
Sources said day light encroachment is taking place on main Nullah at Sector No. 4 in Nanak Nagar with encroachers constructing concrete slab and there were no steps taken by the concerned authorities to stop the illegal construction work.
When contacted, Deputy CM Dr Nirmal Singh said that the Government was particular to ensure proper utilization of the reclaimed land and necessary instructions in this regard have been made to the concerned departments. The Government is committed not to allow land mafia or any other to encroach upon State land, he added.
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