Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Oct 28: Prominent members representing various social, religious and trade organizations of old Jammu city held a meeting at Dogra Sadar Sabha Bhawan today under the chairmanship Gulchain Singh Charak, former minister and president of the Sabha.
All the members present in the meeting strongly reiterated their objection to the road block between Dogra Hall Jammu and Ranvireshwar Temple that is established each time the State Secretariat moves to the summer capital.The road block reflects the insecurity and in-accessibility of the State Government and causes uncalled for and unnecessary hardships to the population of the area around the Secretariat and literally dissects the Holy town of temples. The road in front of the Secretariat is the main artery road running through heart of town and needs widening from Indira Chowk to the Raj Bhawan. Once closed for six long months, all its traffic gets diverted to the narrow Parade Ground area resulting in persistent traffic jams, accidents and adding to pollution.
This virtually divides the city in two halves, causing great inconvenience to walking commuters, tourists, women, school children, the senior citizen etc; as also creating unnecessary avoidable traffic chaos and congestion. It blocks the route to famous and historical Ranvireshwar Shiv temple thus hurting the religious sentiments of the people. It also blocks easy access to the historical monuments of Raja Jambulochan, which is symbolic to the basis of establishing the city of Jammu besides Gandhi Bhawan, Shaheed Bhagat Amarnath Memorial Park and Mubarak Mandi Heritage site.
The route to historical Raghunath Bazar and the famous Raghunath temple is also cut off, besides, the road leading to the SMGS Hospital, thus adversely affecting pilgrimage, tourism, trade and Health care. Even the dead bodies from this area are forced to be carried to Jogi Gate walking over a detour of three km by the bereaved families.
The DSS urged upon the Govt that a decision not to block this road of peaceful Jammu city should be taken before the Durbar move or else the members are gearing up to put in stiff resistance and launch a strong agitation.
Prominent among those who attended the meeting included Prem Sagar Gupta, Parshotam Thapa, BD Naryal, ND Rajwal, Brig MS Jamwal (Retd.)and others.
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