Jammu, May 17
After facing many delays and bureaucratic hurdles, the construction of second flyover from Bikram Chowk to Gandhi Nagar has finally begun.

The construction of 1.3-km long flyover from the Bikram Chwok has begun and it is likely to be completed by 2017.

The project, being taken under the Asian Development Bank (ADB) funding, was allocated to the Economic Reconstruction Agency (ERA), a main executing agency for various urban development projects in Jammu and Kashmir.

Chief Minister Omar Abdullah laid the foundation stone of the Rs 75-crore Bikram Chowk Flyover in December last year, but the construction was delayed due to various administrative reasons and a land compensation issue, which was recently solved.

The proposed flyover would be an elevated corridor comprising 38 pillars, two subways and four bus ways. After the construction of the flyover, the inter-state and inter-district traffic on the Kathua and RS Pura routes would be regulated through it.

Currently, the city has only one flyover which was constructed in 1993-98. The road network in the city is under pressure due to an increase in the number of vehicles.

With a view to modernise the road transport system and address the problem of frequent traffic jams, the Jammu and Kashmir government had approved a plan to construct a series of flyovers at an estimated cost of Rs 7,600 crore in 2009 .

Under the Vision-2020 for Jammu city, flyovers are proposed to be constructed from Bikram Chowk to Panama Chowk, Bikram Chowk to Satwari and Jewel to the Canal Road. However, paucity of funds and huge costs involved in acquiring land for the projects were the main reasons for delay in execution of these projects on a massive scale.

Jammu city with a population of 14 lakh is spread over 175 square km area at present, whereas the projected population of the city in 2021 is estimated to be 17 lakh requiring an area of 404 sq km for which a better road network is the need of the hour.

Under the new master plan projected by the Jammu Development Authority (JDA) and experts from CEPT University, Ahmedabad, development of modern sanitation with the sewerage treatment plants (STPs), channelising water bodies, construction of new and widening of existing roads, flyovers, commercial areas and by-passes on the National Highway starting from Kathua are some of the key proposals to ease traffic rush in the city.

Poonch, May 17
Over 550 students of Government Higher Secondary School (GHSS), Lassana, are forced to attend classes in an open ground in the scorching heat in Poonch district, as the Education Department has failed to provide them required classrooms.

Two laboratories of the institution have also started leaking as the incomplete first floor on the labs has ruined the existing building.

It all happened after the Roads and Buildings (R&B) Department failed to complete the construction work on the first floor of the building well in time. GHSS Lassana, with over 550 students, is the only higher secondary school in the 12 km radius.

Following the demand of residents of the adjoining villages, the district administration has sanctioned Rs 8.72 lakh in 2009. After completion of the tender work, the construction work was started in February last year, but was stopped in March.

“We already lack a school building. We were happy when the construction work on the first floor started, but the work stopped soon after in March. A roofless structure on the top of the building is putting students’ lives at risk,” said Sudarshan Sharma, the school principal.

Water-logging on the roof due to incessant rain has been weakening the ceiling of the ground floor and round-the-clock leakage has made it impossible for the students to sit inside, Sharma said.

The regular seepage coupled with delay in its completion may damage the existing structure further, he said. “We have over 550 students while there are only five classrooms to accommodate them. We need at least five more rooms. On the request of parents and students, the R&B Department had assured us to construct two more rooms last year. For this, we had to vacate two existing rooms and will have to wait for months,” the principal said.

Rajesh Suri, lecturer, Botony, said, “We have been provided single rooms that are being used as classrooms-cum-labs and we face various problems while teaching in the classrooms.”

“Laboratories have been bifurcated into two cabins with the help of iron almirahs, moreover, due to limited classrooms, some other subjects are also being taught in the Science labs,” Suri said. Teachers also claim that due to non-availability of proper space in the school, it also hinders extra co-curricular activities.

Mohammed Ashraf Chauhan, Chief Education Officer, Poonch, has also visited the school several times and the school principal has discussed the matter with him, but nothing actual has been done so far.

Water-logging on the roof due to incessant rain has been weakening the ceiling of the ground floor and round-the-clock leakage has made it impossible for the students to sit inside, Sharma said.

The regular seepage coupled with delay in its completion may damage the existing structure further, he said.

“We have over 550 students while there are only five classrooms to accommodate them. We need at least five more rooms. On the request of parents and students, the R&B Department had assured us to construct two more rooms last year. For this, we had to vacate two existing rooms and will have to wait for months,” the principal said.

Rajesh Suri, lecturer, Botony, said, “We have been provided single rooms that are being used as classrooms-cum-labs and we face various problems while teaching in the classrooms.”

“Laboratories have been bifurcated into two cabins with the help of iron almirahs, moreover, due to limited classrooms, some other subjects are also being taught in the Science labs,” Suri said.

Teachers also claim that due to non-availability of proper space in the school, it also hinders extra co-curricular activities.

We already lack a school building. We were happy when the construction work on the first floor started, but the work stopped soon after in March. A roofless structure on the top of the building is putting students’ lives at risk
— Sudarshan Sharma, school principal

Jammu, May 17
Just a few weeks after National Building Construction Corporation (NBCC) completed its work of laying sewerage pipes at the Canal Road towards Bhagwati Nagar, a small portion of the road caved in today morning.

The caving in of the road has exposed the tall claims of the administration and corporation. Though it has not affected traffic movement on the Bhagwati nagar road, which leads to a sewerage treatment plant (STP), locals said the problem might surface in other areas along the road.

“It is surprising that cracks have appeared on the road just a few days after the completion of blacktopping work on the road,” said Rabinder Gupta, a local resident.

Sewerage laying work is already under scanner as the visionless planning of the state government is costing people of Jammu dearly. Faulty project planning has delayed the construction of a sewerage treatment plan (STP), which began in 2007.

From the start, the state has not done its homework properly. National Building Construction Corporation (NBCC) was not allowed to carry its separate study and was forced by the government to carry work on the Detailed Project Report (DPR) prepared by the Urban Development Department (UDD).

Jammu, May 17
The Railway Station Hotels and Lodges Association, Jammu, today requested Governor NN Vohra to pay special attention for the promotion of tourism and pilgrimage in Jammu region.

The association also welcomed Vohra’s extended term as the Governor of the state. In a letter addressed to the Governor, Bhuvneshwar Gandotra, president of the association, observed that the extension of NN Vohra as the Governor of the state was an acknowledgement of his political acumen and ability to understand and implement the right decisions at appropriate times.

“This is also an acknowledgement of his proper governance as the chairman of Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board and Shri Amarnath Shrine Board. Under his stewardship, the two pilgrimages have received tremendous boost with the number of annual turn out of pilgrims to Vaishno Devi crossing one crore mark and those to Shri Amarnath crossing 6.21 lakh,” Gandotra said.

Besides, Vohra as the Chancellor of the Jammu and Kashmir Universities had provided conducive academic and educational environment for the students, he said. Maintaining that Jammu region had a vast potential for tourism, pilgrimage, holiday and adventure tourism, Gandotra said the extension of railways to Udhampur in the recent past and to Katra in the near future, opening of Mughal road connecting Rajouri and Poonch to Srinagar, by passing Jammu and opening of Sinthan pass, connecting Bhaderwah and Kishtwar to Srinagar had further improved the scope for tourism promotion in Jammu region.

Gandotra also laid stress on the speedy implementation of tourism-related projects in Jammu, taking them on war footing. “These include artificial lake on the Tawi, Mubarak Mandi heritage project, cable projects of Jammu and Patnitop, promotion of tourist circuit of Surinsar, Mansar, Bani and Lohai-Malhar,” he said. 

Jammu, May 17
Proper sanitation is a distant dream in the city as garbage and waste material can be seen scattered on the road. The Jammu Municipal Corporation (JMC), with a motto to ‘serve you better', is grappling with severe shortage of manpower, particularly safai karamcharis.

The civic body is imposing sanitation tax on residents, but most of them are deprived of proper sanitation services.

Sham Koul (52), a resident of Janipur said, “No safai karamchari is visiting our locality to clean the drains and pick garbage. Most of the time, we clean drains of the locality ourselves when they get choked.” “Despite repeated complaints, we have not received any assurances and response from the department concerned,” he said.

Ashwani Kumar (32), a resident of Talab Tillo, said, “One side, the JMC talks about door-to-door garbage collection drive and on the other, the heaps of garbage scattered unattended in congested lanes. Besides, choked drains have made life miserable for people.”

“The JMC have lost its credibility among the residents. No one will pay a single penny till they come out with a comprehensive plan for sanitation and provide better facilities to the people,” he added.

The JMC has been facing the shortage of about 30 per cent of safai karamcharis. It has only 2,200 sweepers in 71 wards under the municipal limits. Worse, the cash-strapped corporation does not have enough funds to recruit more karamcharis.

JMC Health Officer Vinod Sharma said, “We have shortage of safai karamcharis, but still we are giving services to residents of the city. If someone has any problem in their locality, he or she can directly contact me.”

locality to clean the drains and pick garbage. Most of the time, we clean drains of the locality ourselves when they get choked.”

“Despite repeated complaints, we have not received any assurances and response from the department concerned,” he said.

Ashwani Kumar (32), a resident of Talab Tillo, said, “One side, the JMC talks about door-to-door garbage collection drive and on the other, the heaps of garbage scattered unattended in congested lanes. Besides, choked drains have made life miserable for people.”

“The JMC have lost its credibility among the residents. No one will pay a single penny till they come out with a comprehensive plan for sanitation and provide better facilities to the people,” he added.

The JMC has been facing the shortage of about 30 per cent of safai karamcharis. It has only 2,200 sweepers in 71 wards under the municipal limits. Worse, the cash-strapped corporation does not have enough funds to recruit more karamcharis.

JMC Health Officer Vinod Sharma said, “We have shortage of safai karamcharis, but still we are giving services to residents of the city. If someone has any problem in their locality, he or she can directly contact me.”

We have shortage of safai karamcharis, but still we are giving services to residents of the city. If someone has any problem in their locality, he or she can directly contact meWe cannot recruit more persons due to paucity of funds. We have started collecting Rs 50 per family as sanitation charges in the old city. Unfortunately, less than 10 per cent people are paying these charges.
— Vinod Sharma, JMC Health Officer 

Jammu, May 17
Displaced Kashmiri Hindus have alleged harassment by the Power Development Department (PDD) which is restoring to unscheduled power cuts.

The Jagti Tenement Committee (JTC) has warned to start agitation against the attitude of the state government, which seems to encourage the rehabilitation and soaps for the terrorists, who raised gun against the Indian Union, while harassing the militancy victims from Kashmir as well as Jammu region.

JTC president Shadi Lal Pandita said that state as well as the Central Government were liable to meet all expenses of the migrants till they get rehabilitated in the Kashmir valley.

He expressed a grave concern over the untimely death of various inmates in the Jagti migrant camp due to heat stroke which occurred due to prolonged power curtailments during the past two years.

He made a fervent appeal to the authorities concerned as well as the state government for restoring proper power supplies to the migrant camp to avoid further loss of life.

“We are not against people who are misusing the electricity, but we are displaced from the Kashmir valley. Many people are unable to pay the electricity charges, because they cannot afford,” said Shadi Lal Pandita, president, Jagti Tenement Committee (JTC).

On March 22, the state government, in the Legislative Assembly, had announced that regular electricity would be allotted to Jagti, Muthi and Purkhoo apartments constructed under the Prime Ministers Rehabilitation Plan (PMRP) for displaced Pandits, till they make payment for the electricity being used by them. 

Jammu, May 17
Stray dogs have made life miserable for people in parts of the city with the municipal authorities expressing helplessness in tackling the menace.

In absence of any strategy to counter the problem, the stray dog menace has been haunting the locals here for long. The cases of dog bites are common, people in many parts of the city fear venturing outside their home in the early morning or evening hours due to the fear of attack from ferocious animals.

Though no particular survey has been conducted by the authorities concerned to know the exact number of number of dogs in the city, their number is increasing at a fast pace in markets, residential areas and educational institutions.

The nuisance caused by stray dogs is restricting the free movement of people on the roads in some parts of the city.

“Walking down on the city roads, stray dogs could be spotted around every corner. They are using garbage dumps as their homes,” said Navneet Sharma, a university student.

Even after one year, the Jammu Municipal Corporation (JMC) has failed to start a project to tag the pets in the city to identify stray animals from domesticated one. The plan was to target the dogs and cattle and to take measures against menace of stray animals which have become a major headache for the citizens.

However, officials blamed that mushrooming of residential colonies and garbage dumps in the recent years are some of the reasons for the massive increase in the number of dogs in the city.

"At every nook and corner, these stray dogs are chasing pedestrians. It is difficult for pedestrians, especially school children and the aged, to move freely on the roads," said Rabir Singh, a resident of Talab Tillo.

Sources said that the Jammu Municipal Corporation (JMC) did not have any space to provide shelter to the stray dogs. It had failed to carry strict measures to curb the menace due to paucity of funds.

Katra, May 17
District Development Commissioner (DDC), Reasi, Dr Shahid Iqbal Choudhary today warned the Border Roads Organisations for initiating criminal proceedings if the protection works were delayed and Reasi-Mahore road was not completed on time.

The DDC was at Mahore to review the developmental works and status of essential supplies and services in the remote areas. He also held a meeting of sub-divisional officers at Mahore.

Taking a serious note of problems being faced by the people on the front of payment of wages, scholarships and pensions, the DDC assured the public that payment would be made through the Postal Department at their doorsteps for which he would take up the matter with the Chief Postmaster General.

The scarcity of food grains in Mahore was viewed seriously and officials of the Consumer Affairs and Public Distribution Department were directed to streamline the supplies of ration and kerosene within one week at the panchayat level.

He called for associating panchayats in all the 14 line departments, for which the General Administrative Department, J&K, has issued notification, for ensuring public participation.

Sub-Divisional Magistrate, Mahore, Tilk Raj Shastri, was directed to expedite land compensation cases immediately and ensure that payment was made without any delay. Reviewing the progress under the PWD, PMGSY, PHE, I&FC, the DDC directed for early completion of ongoing schemes. He directed the DFO and ACD for coming up with the proposal for bridges at critical areas under convergence. The BDOs were directed to take a meeting of the line departments responsible for devolution of powers once in a month and submit a report to the SDM.

The DDC directed the SDM to strengthen the Public Service Guarantee Act, Right to Information Act and establish a grievance redressal cell at Mahore. 

Jammu, May 17
To overcome difficulties of personnel belonging to the Central Armed Police Forces (CAPF) who proceed on leave or duty or training, a proposal was mooted to earmark a dedicated railway coach in important trains running from major stations, including Jammu.

The proposal was accepted by the Ministry of Home Affairs and accordingly the Railway Ministry was approached for providing dedicated railway coaches.

One AC three-tier coach has been attached to trains, Aawadh Assam Express, Lal Quila Express, Kolkata Jammu Tawi Express, Andaman Express, Navyug Express, Dehradun Express, Amritsar Kochivellia Express, for the CAPF personnel.

Personnel of the BSF, CRPF, ITBP, SSB, CISF and other Central Armed Police Forces can avail this facility.

The BSF has been declared as a nodal agency for coordination at the Jammu railway station for all the CAPF personnel of Jammu and Kashmir.

IG BSF Jammu Frontier Rajeev Krishna will flag off the first train, Kolkata-Jammu Tawi, with an extra coach for the CAPF personnel tomorrow at 6.30 pm.