Jammu MC launches 6-month desilting drive

Tribune News Service

Jammu, February 25

The Jammu Municipal Corporation (JMC) on Tuesday launched a six-month long drive to desilt 191 nullahs and 143 deep drains flowing within the municipal limits of Jammu, which comprises of 75 wards.

For the first time in recent years, the Municipal Corporation claims to have started preparations to prevent flooding of low-lying areas during monsoons.

Years of neglect by the corporation to clean the sewerage channels carrying filth of Jammu has resulted in piles of garbage blocking these drains and flooding the low-lying areas of the city during monsoon.

Further construction and illegal encroachment along the course of these drains has become a major health threat as civic bodies have failed to stop the construction.

The drive was started by Health and Sanitation Committee chairman Baldev Singh Baloria to repair and carry out desilting of storm water drainage system.

“There are about 191 nullahs and 143 deep drains falling in the JMC limits and it has been a challenge for the JMC authorities to get these desilted well before the onset of monsoon season so that there is no waterlogging during heavy rain”, said Baloria.

Major flood prone areas of Jammu which include Bhagwati Nagar, Talab Tillo, Kabir Colony, Durga Nagar, Nai Basti, Kunj Vihar Lane Sector 4, Nanak Nagar, Shastri Nagar, and Trikuta Nagar that need special attention.

“Blocked drains have been a major problem and at times we have faced wrath of residents. We are hopeful that sufficient funds will be sanctioned”, said Neeraj Puri, Councillor of Ward No-54.

Colonies around Landoi Choi nullah, Nanak Nagar, will also be covered under the plan approved by the Municipal Corporation.