Landoi Choi, Balol Nallah inflict heavy damage every rainy season in Bhour Camp, Gadigarh
Sanjeev K. Sharma
JAMMU, Dec 16: There is worst developmental crisis in Ward Number 73 of Jammu Municipal Corporation (JMC), where most of the inhabitants are Pakistan occupied J&K (PoJK) and West Pakistan refugees. Though the area has become a hub for narcotics trade and consumption, two Nallahs turn violent every rainy season and unleash havoc in the area.
Informing more in this regard, Prof. Yudhvir Singh, Councillor of the Ward said that many drug addicts and peddlers are active in the Ward against which the police should act strictly.
He said that big deep drains-Landoi Choi and Balol Nallah are notorious in the area as these get flooded every year in rainy season and the gushing water enter residential houses inflicting heavy damages.
“Worst hit areas in this regard are Azad Nagar situated at the back of Jammu Airport and Ward number I & II of Bhour Camp,” he maintained adding: “Two kilometer stretch of Landoi Choi Nallah needs concrete work while proper construction is the only solution for Balol Nallah which was not done so far due to paucity of funds and this Nallah coming from R.S Pura side inflicts damage in lower Gadigarh area.”
The Councillor particularly mentioned that Landoi Choi Nallah near Jammu Airport poses grave threat to the flying machines as many big birds flock there.
“Apart from this four bridges on a Nallah were broken but not repaired for the last nine years which clearly exposes the official red tape culture prevailing in the offices of the concerned authorities,” he further said.
In an exclusive interaction with the Excelsior, Prof. Singh, who is an Independent and first time Councillor from this newly created Ward of JMC said that areas of his Ward include Ajit Nagar, Sanat Nagar, Gadigarh, Vikram Nagar, Azad Nagar, Karan Bagh, Green Enclave, Lower Gadigarh, Rohi Morh, Bhour Camp Ward-I & II and Chak Sardar Atar Singh.
He said that construction work of drains is only 20-25 per cent complete in the Ward and being it a rural area is a big problem as more funds are needed here for development works.
“Construction and repair work of lanes is 70 per cent complete in the Ward and the areas which were extreme rural were left out,” the JMC Councillor said.
He informed that drain works could not be done in low lying areas of the Ward due to topography and claimed that technology is only solution in such places.
Prof. Singh also said that blacktopping in his Ward is 70 per cent complete and lack of cooperation from the officers of development agencies UEED and PWD.
He said that Street Lights in good number have been installed in the Ward but 75 per cent of these have now turned non-functional and the concerned repair agency has failed to timely repairs such lights.
“There are two parks in the Ward-both new and in good condition with Open Air Gym in one,” the Councillor said adding: “There is no pond, no community hall, no parking place for vehicles and even houses in the Ward have not being numbered but there is a playground of sports stadium level in the Ward which is not properly maintained. The Ward also has a hospital building complete in all regards at Lower Gadigarh but the same has not been yet started due to official red tape culture.”
Prof. Singh informed that 35 Safai Karamcharis have been provided to his Ward but there is a requirement of 95 as the Ward is very vast.
“Due to less manpower available, cleanliness in the Ward is very poor,” he said.
The Councillor claimed that some areas in the Ward like Upper Gadigarh and Bhour Camp Ward-I get dirty water in supply by the concerned department and need pipes replacement.
“Of the four cremation grounds in my Ward, three are in good condition but the one at Rani Bagh lacks development,” he said.
He said that two autos are there for garbage collection in the Ward but two more are required and claimed that the present one were not doing their work properly and garbage dumps are still there in Bhour Camp area.
The JMC Councillor also said that stray dogs are there in his Ward creating problems for the people.
“These canines not only litter here and there but they also bite people and chase two wheelers besides having created a wave of terror among women, children and old age people,” he continued.
Prof. Singh said that hanging wires and damaged poles are there in his Ward and none of the concerned authority has corrected these.
He informed that many widows, old age persons and physically challenged persons of his Ward are getting pension but the newly introduced rule for these pensions exclusively for Below Poverty Line people is creating problems for others and it should be removed immediately in the interest of needy people.
The JMC Councillor claimed that open defecation is also there in the Ward and said that most of the localities in the Ward are un-regularised with refugees living there.
“Cases of thefts involving iron gratings from the drains and Street Lights have also been reported from the Ward,” he informed adding that there is an abandoned government building in the Ward and a library was planned there for which a resolution was also passed in the General House Meeting of JMC but nothing has been done so far in that regard.
“Almost all the residents of my Ward have got their Ayushman Cards and all the eligible Voters have made their Voter Cards and same is the status of Domicile Certificates,” the JMC Councillor said.
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