Avtar Bhat
JAMMU, Dec 23: There has been no headway in shifting of much talked about Ware House -a trading hub of J&K from Jammu city to outskirts to avoid the congestion and routine traffic chaos in its vicinity as well as Nehru Market area.
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As per sources, the erstwhile State Government over a decade back had mooted the proposal for shifting of Ware House from Jammu city to outskirts to avoid the congestion and traffic chaos in the area and also ease the problems of traders.
Sources said that the authorities had identified land at different places in Jammu and Samba districts and the proposal was not only discussed with the Traders Federation of Ware House but the representatives of the Organisation also visited the proposed sites to give their feedback. But later the proposal was shelved completely for reasons best known to higher-ups in the Government and no headway has been made in this regard till date, sources added.
Sources said the traders in the Ware House are facing many hardships due to congestion, space crunch and traffic chaos. They face traffic jams during peak time for hours together and due to space crunch the traders are forced to keep the consumable goods in open which even get perished during rains and scorching Summer heat, sources added.
Though the traders have repeatedly been demanding shifting of the Ware House to any alternative place with all modern facilities for members of business community, it seems that the Government is not serious in conceding the demand as no fresh exercise has been made by Jammu Development Authority (JDA) after shelving the previous proposal in this regard, sources said.
Sources said the traders are ready for allotment of land even in Samba district or somewhere in outskirts of Jammu district but the decision lies with Government which has constantly been delaying the same further aggravating the problems of the whole sale trading community and their customers.
Deepak Gupta, president, Ware House Traders Federation said till date nothing has been done regarding shifting of the Ware House from Jammu to a suitable place.
He said the delegation of Federation met higher ups in Jammu Development Authority as well as Divisional Commissioner Jammu many times during last over one decade but to no avail. He said earlier they identified land near Raya Morh, 17 Miles in Vijaypur and Mandal but later nothing was done. “We fail to understand why the plan was shelved by the Government later”, he added.
“We don’t see the JDA has any fresh proposal in this regard”, he said, adding the Association representatives met the present VC also but except assurances we don’t think any concrete step is being taken in this regard”.
He said the Ware House was established in 1960 and it is the fourth generation of traders now. “We face dearth of Godowns and want that land be allotted outside to avoid the congestion” while renewing his appeal to Government to identify suitable land for shifting of Ware House outside the city.
Arun Gupta, president Jammu Chamber of Commerce and Industries (JCCI) said he does not see there is any proposal before the Government regarding allotment of land for Ware House in outskirts of Jammu. “They (Government) have not identified land anywhere in this regard,. Unless the land is identified the shifting of Ware House is not possible,” he added.
The traders want that Ware House be shifted to a suitable place but initiative is to be taken by the Government. Without Government’s initiative nothing is possible,” he added.
Kirti Gupta, president, Daal Association Traders Ware House and ex president of Traders Association Ware House said the proposal regarding shifting of Ware House is on papers only and nothing is being done practically.
He said the traders were shown land number of times just to hoodwink them. “Earlier we were told that the UT Government has no funds and till Centre does not pay funds for the same the UT Government can’t can’t go ahead with the decision,” he added.
Gupta said there is huge congestion and traders are put to many hardships daily on account of the same. “We demand allotment of land without any delay,” he added.
He said there are 540 traders in Ware House and the space is not sufficient to cater to the traders’ needs. Always there are huge queues and traffic jams. He said the UT Government seems to have abandoned the proposal as the authorities say that they can’t do anything without the Centre’s support.
He said if Chief Minister, Omar Abdullah takes initiative the demand can be met and the traders can get rid of problems created due to daily congestion.
He said the Government can allot land somewhere near Ring Road as it is not the Ware House of Jammu only but customers from entire UT visit here for purchase of goods in wholesale. “So we have no problem if the Ware House is shifted to outskirts of Jammu”, he added.
However senior officers in the JDA on the condition of anonymity said that there is no proposal for shifting of Ware House before their organisation at present.
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