Nai Basti a tale of neglect, apathy

Tribune News Service

Jammu, February 22

The work to set up a modern drainage system, which was started two months ago, has not been resumed at Nai Basti.

There is growing resentment among the residents against the government as despite repeated pleas to the officials concerned, no step is being taken to start the work.

Locals claim that they had even approached an MLA of the Gandhi Nagar constituency, but despite assurances by him contractors claim that the tendering process was yet to take place, which was slowing down the project.

Moreover, despite the claims made by the Jammu Municipal Corporation (JMC) that a special drive had been launched across the city to maintain sanitation, drains in the area remain blocked. The overflowing sewage on the road poses grave threat to the health of the people.

The area was supposed to be the model commercial area of the temple city, but the failure of the civic authorities to maintain sanitation in the lanes, bylanes and delay in improving infrastructure has created unhealthy conditions.

“Heaps of garbage, potholed roads, stagnant water and blocked drains tell a tale of the indifferent attitude of the authorities towards the place, created exclusively for offices and high-end shoppers. Looking at the plight of the area, it seems that there is no coordination between any of the government departments,” said Sushil Sharma, a resident of the area. To add to the woes, there is insufficient parking space in the vast area housing several state, Central government departments and private concerns leading to chaotic situations on a daily basis.

“Where is the civic body? Lack of effective mechanism, failure to place garbage containers by the Municipal Corporation and shortage of safai karamcharis are the major reasons for the poor condition of the area,” said Kapil Kapoor, a showroom owner in Nai Basti.

The city is already facing a huge challenge in finding a suitable place to dump solid waste generated by residents.

However, none of the officials from the MC was available for the comment.