Ex-MLAs’ Report Card Constituency: City East Rajesh Gupta (BJP)
Ajay Raina
JAMMU: Though ex-MLA of Jammu East Rajesh Gupta of BJP has initiated several development works in his constituency, yet people are still feeling deprived of some basic amenities. It is due to lack of proper facilities that people are settling in other parts of Jammu to live a comfortable life and this trend is leading to decline in the number of voters in this constituency.
The issues on which some people are dissatisfied with the performance of former MLA include poor drainage system, insanitation and lack of parking places. Moreover, people of some areas are also concerned over delay in restoration work on historic Mubarak Mandi complex.
“The city has become so congested due to encroachments that now-a-days it is impossible to take a round of the area even on a two wheeler”, said large number of people, who were approached by EXCELSIOR during random survey recently. Some of them are also concerned over dilapidated condition of Custodian Department quarters at various places in the constituency.
Apart from this, the old structures constructed by Government years ago need immediate renovation otherwise they can collapse anytime resulting into any catastrophe.
“At various places in the constituency, No Traffic Zone barriers have been placed by the Traffic Police but the enforcement is very poor due to which there is congestion on the roads creating problems for the people particularly the shopkeepers of different markets”, people said, adding “this issue was discussed with the former MLA a number of times but it seems that he doesn’t want to annoy anybody as such chaos is prevailing”.
Some of the shopkeepers of different markets said that it is due to constant traffic jams and lack of parking facilities that their business activities have failed to pick up momentum. However, majority of the people appreciated the former MLA for undertaking developmental works in the shape of improving the condition of lanes in major parts of the constituency and drains in certain areas.
Raj Kumar Babber, Provincial President, Swarankar Sangh Jammu Province (SSJP) said that traffic jams, lack of parking space and insanitation are the main problems being faced by the people and business community of the Jammu East. “Maximum roads in the constituency remained jam packed for maximum time, which has affected the business community badly”, he added.
“No doubt, former MLA took various initiatives for changing the developmental profile of the constituency but drainage problem is major irritant for the people and the same can be addressed only when ongoing sewerage works are completed and all the drains are linked to Sewerage Treatment Plant”, he further said.
“Around 10,000 souls live in the Custodian Department flats but MLA didn’t exert much needed pressure for their renovation”, a resident of Custodian house said.
People also expressed concern over mess of electricity wires in almost all parts of the constituency and irregular removal of garbage and said, “on these aspects former MLA had to pay required attention”.
“Development has taken place in our area. Regular supply of drinking water and uninterrupted power has been ensured by the former MLA” said Babbu, a resident of Rajinder Nagar, adding “construction of a community toilet complex was started by the ex-MLA but it was abandoned mid-day due to the reasons best known to the concerned officials.”
The people also said that they raised the demands of re-construction of the nallah in their Rajinder Nagar area, but no steps have been taken till today, adding that the slab on the nallah is in deplorable condition and can collapse at any time.
“Ex-MLA visited the area and said that the nallah will be re-constructed but nothing has been done till today”, the residents said.
Shopkeepers in Jain Bazaar, Lakhdatta Bazaar, Kanak Mandi, Rajinder Bazaar and adjoining areas said that the main problem in their areas is of traffic congestion. “If any fire incident takes place in these areas, fire brigade cannot reach the spot due to traffic congestion”, they added.
“We are planning to shift our business to some other places outside Old City as it is very difficult for us to do business in the absence of parking facility and free flow of vehicular movement”, they stated.
Pankaj Sharma, a resident of Afghan Mohallah said that now-a-days people think of high class living, large parking space, good education for children, medical facilities, good facilities at door steps, which they can’t get in Jammu East.
“The strength of stray dogs is increasing day-by-day in our Mohallah and several cases of dog bite have also taken place, but ex-MLA failed to take up the issue with the concerned authorities”, Sharma added.
Gurdarshan Singh, Chairman, Below Gumat JP Chowk Traders Association said that no steps have been taken for the beautification of the Gumat Bazaar. “We are demanding a bore well or hand pump for the convenience of the shopkeepers and tourists at JP Chowk since long, but our demand has remained unfulfilled”, Singh stated.
“Drainage system near Bhagat Singh Chowk has not been improved, which results into overflow of the dirty water, thereby creating problems for general public”, he added.
Though MLA released funds for the construction of historic football ground near Parade, but due to casual approach of the J&K State Sports Council, the ground is in shabby condition and the players are finding it difficult to practice their game.
“Our children used to play in the football ground near Parade, but now its condition has worsen and no attention has been paid towards its maintenance”, Pardeep Sharma, a resident of Parade said.
Irfan Ahmed, a resident of Prem Nagar said that few development works had taken place during the tenure of Rajesh Gupta but the most important work of repairing the drainage system near Prem Nagar Chowk remained unattended, due to which the dirty water overflows and create problems for the residents, shopkeepers especially commuters during rains.
The development of the historic Hari Singh Park is a good work done by the former MLA and it is benefiting the people residing in its surroundings, he said.
When contacted for his comments on the opinion of the people, Rajesh Gupta said that all the issues raised by the people will be well taken care, but at the same time he regretted that no visionary development has taken place in the East Constituency in the past.
Regarding traffic chaos in various areas of Old City, Gupta said that a parking slot has been constructed near Shalamar Chowk, which has brought some sigh of relief for the people especially shopkeepers. “The tender of another parking near Hari Singh Park has been finalized, which also prove beneficial for the people”, he added.
“The renovation of several custodian houses has been done and process is on for the remaining ones”, he said, adding that re-construction work of the nallah at Rajinder Nagar has been taken up with the UEED.
Regarding deplorable condition of the football ground, Ex-MLA said that the issue will be taken up with the J&K State Sports Council for immediate redressal.
“The construction work of the toilet complex in Rajinder Nagar area is going on”, he said, adding that the construction work remained suspended for sometime as labourer engaged for the construction work had gone to their State to celebrate religious festival.
The drainage issue in the Prem Nagar and Bhagat Singh Chowk will be resolved in the shortest possible time by taking up the matter with the concerned authorities, the ex-MLA said.
Highlighting his achievements during his tenure, Rajesh Gupta informed that an amount of Rs 3 crore has been spent to upgrade power infrastructure, 6 tube wells were constructed to overcome water crisis, an amount of Rs 1.5 crore was spent on replacement of rotten water pipes, huge amount spent on promotion of sports, upgradation of Government Schools, 100 per cent blacktopping of roads and construction of lanes and drains have been done.
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