Rain, flash floods take toll on Jammu roads

Tribune News Service

Jammu, July 23

Heavy spell of rain and flash floods have severely damaged the already dilapidated road infrastructure in the city.

With the blacktopping process stopped till October, driving around the city has become a nightmare as people have to remain extra cautious to avoid injury while trying to dodge the potholes.

Several interior roads in Channi Rama, Narwal, Transport Nagar, Janipur, Muthi, Bantalab Gangyal, Digiana, Jeevan Nagar, Nanak Nagar, Sanjay Nagar, Channi Himmat, Channi Rama, Bhagwati Nagar and Trikuta Nagar have suffered damage with officials from the Roads and Buildings (R&B) Department saying that they were assessing the situation before the restoration work could be started.

Drains in every locality are choked with garbage and overflowing water is making its way into the nearby houses and shops.

“Flash floods are frequent in our area and several kilometres of road length has been destroyed. Keeping in view the past experience, we are not expecting any repair works by the authorities concerned. Several areas are almost cut-off,” alleged Sanjit Singh from Jagti area on the city outskirts.

Within the city, roads are in poor condition and a constant reminder of how the government and civic bodies pay least consideration to the problems of common man.

People also complained that no one cleared the garbage dumps from streets and stressed the Municipal Corporation to lift the solid waste scattered around the city.

Chief Engineer, R&B, Alok Mengi, however, said till monsoon period was not over no repair works could be carried out. “Work cannot be undertaken during rainy season. We have to wait for October and after that all the roads will be blacktopped and repaired.”

The total road length in the city is 704.22 km and per kilometer density of vehicles is 574. The situation has been worsening with every passing day as new cars, tractors, motor bikes, trucks, matadors and busses keep adding to the city traffic.