Selective blacktopping of roads irks city residents

Vikram Sharma

Tribune News Service

Jammu, December 2

Random macdamisation of selective patches within the city confines is drawing peoples’ ire.

They have accused the Public Works Department (PWD)and corporators of the respective areas for the trouble.

On the main city roads, the patch work of macdamisation is being carried out, while the entry and exit areas of the bazaars are blocked on both sides giving uneasy time to pedestrians and total denial of access to vehicular movement.

The arterial road that connects the highly congested area from Kacchi Chawni to Pacca Danga in Ward No. 10 is blocked from both sides, while commuters are facing great difficulty in reaching their homes.

Scooters and cars that cannot reach the parking lots in the area create another mess on both sides choking the entire area.

Residents allege that department as well contractors concerned do not contact area residents before digging lanes and thus cause great inconvenience.

“At night, I parked my vehicle against the wall of my house as usual, but in the morning when I had to leave for office, I saw the entire lane was dug up leaving no scope to move my vehicle out,” said Arjun Prashar, a resident of Pacca Danga.

“Had they informed us prior to digging, we would have parked our vehicles at some other place to avoid botheration for being late to office,” said Mahinder Singh, another resident of the area.

The estimated road length in Jammu district inhabited by a population of 15 lakh is 5,000 km, which includes city area covering 700-800 km catering to 7 lakh people.

“Regular macdamistaion or blacktopping of all city roads is always a necessity. But the administration should see how to manage works at lean hours during night and clear it off in the day time. Besides, selective patch work and leaving other major repairs unattended reflects nonchalance of the executive agencies,” said Mamta Sharma, a student.

Anil Kumar, corporator Mohalla Paharian, Ward No. 10 did not respond to repeated calls.