People of Old Jammu City Frustrated with JMC Regarding Smart City Project : Sawhney
Jammu, July 5: Ex MLA Jammu East Yogesh Sawhney along with his team today Toured Ward No. 1, Jammu East, Dhounthly Bazar, Panjtirthi, and Upper Bazar area and interacted with the local shopkeepers and people. The residents apprised Sawhney of their major concerns and issues during the visit, expressing their dissatisfaction with the faulty implementation of the Smart City Project in their area. These concerns were first brought to Sawhney’s notice by Congress President Ward 1, Ram Magotra. After hearing their concerns, Sawhney contacted the CEO, Smart City Project to convey these issues for on-spot redressal of their grievances. A team of the Smart City Project officials was sent to the spot by the CEO after Sawhney’s request to look into the matter and address people’s concerns. Sawhney highlighted the various issues that were bothering the people in the area and urged the team that the concerns of the residents must be taken into consideration before taking and implementing any decisions related to the Smart City Project.
Sawhney said that one of the major concerns of the locals now was that under the Smart City Project, the administration is constructing a footpath in the ward which has been opposed by them on account that the area is already very congested. The roads that run through the area are very narrow and wide footpaths being constructed on both sides by the administration will reduce the space for traffic movement even further. So, people have outright rejected the construction of the footpath as it is causing a lot of inconvenience to them. We have reiterated our concerns in front of the Smart City Project team, and urged them to align the implementation of the project along the lines of the needs of the local people, said Sawhney.
The locals have demanded that the construction of the footpath be stopped immediately and said that if the administration does not pay attention to their concerns, they would shut down their shops and sit on a dharna to fight for it. The shopkeepers also expressed that they were deeply disappointed with the BJP Government saying that their needs have been consistently ignored and neglected by them. They stated that they have made a huge mistake by voting for the BJP and would not want to repeat it. One of the locals said that various decisions and policies of the BJP have impacted their businesses, their kids have had to battle lack of employment opportunities, then there is inflation and the problems keep mounting on top of each other. No sphere of
Sawhney further stated that since the work for the project has started, it has triggered a series of complaints and issues among the locals. They are not happy with how the work is being done and what is being done. Of course, people need infrastructural development, especially in terms of the renovation of the old drainage systems, sewer systems, and replacement of old pipes that run underground, among other important issues. However, that side is being neglected in this programme as of now. Shopkeepers have complained that the whole undertaking is hampering their daily activities as well. Sawhney, therefore, urged the administration to plan the project to suit the local needs and deviations of the old Jammu city region.
Along with Yogesh Sawhney, senior Congress leaders Dr.Ramakant Khajuria, Pawandev Singh, Chander Shekhar Sharma, Atul Sharma, Ram Sarup Baru, Raj Singh, Vijay Kumar, Tarun Gandotra, Gulshan Kumar, Sanjay Jain, Shatrughan Jamwal, Darminder, Ravi Kant, Ashwani Kumar, Rajesh Behl, Mhaldar ( Bittu) Phatey Singh, Vijay Kumar, Harbans Lal Manhor Lal, Sanjay Kumar, Arifq Malik, Sahil Dogra, Raman Bali, Ashok Khajuria Subash Khajuria, Brij Lal and all Bazar shopkeepers Upper Bazar, Dhounthly, Panjthirti, Mubarak Mandi were present.
