Sewerage layout plan in Jammu hits roadblock

Vikram Sharma
Tribune News Service
Jammu, September 18

The sewerage layout plan for Jammu city has once again hit a roadblock as uneven laying of pipes in lanes and bylanes of various mohallas in the old city has left the system non-operational till date.

Though after completion of the layout in the city, the Economic Reconstruction Agency (ERA) handed it over to the Urban Environment & Engineering Department (UEED) to make the system operational, at many points, connections have not been established due to mismanagement.

A team of engineers and workers who visited a site at Old Rehari were not allowed by residents to undertake digging work alleging that already the company had dug the bylane twiceand had failed to make proper connection.

“Every other day they dig the bylanes and leave it open for days together giving hardship to pedestrians. This time we did not allow them to dig as the fault is theirs,” said Pradeep Kumar, a resident.

Manjeet Kotwal, senior superintendent, ERA, admitted that due to uneven topography of certain areas in the old city, many missing links had been left.

“Recently, we had a meeting with the DC, Jammu, and it was ensured that all missing links would be plugged by September end. But for certain points which are inaccessible, we are waiting for the approval of third loan sanction by the ADB,” said Kotwal.

“A DPR of a tentative Rs 130 crore is being prepared for submission of the third term loan to the ADB which will fulfil the requirements of pending connections of sewerage layout,” said Kotwal.