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| Ward No. 58 seeks overhaul of Civic Infrastructure | | |  Early Times Report
JAMMU, June 19: Frustrated by years of administrative apathy and civic decay, residents of Ward No. 58 in Jammu Municipal Corporation have submitted a detailed memorandum to the Hon'ble Chief Minister Jenab Omar Abdullah, appealing for urgent government intervention. The memorandum, presented by local community leader Parvinder Singh Happy on behalf of the residents, outlines a host of critical infrastructure issues that have significantly affected daily life in this densely populated ward.
The most pressing concern raised by the residents pertains to the crumbling water supply system. According to the memorandum, the water pipelines serving key localities such as Dashmesh Nagar, Digiana Camp, Roop Nagar, and Model Town are over three to four decades old. These aging pipelines have resulted in widespread water leakage, reduced water pressure, and severe inconvenience to thousands of households. The residents have requested that the pipeline network be replaced under the Atal Mission for Rejuvenation and Urban Transformation (AMRUT), a central government initiative designed to upgrade urban infrastructure.
Adding to the distress, power supply issues remain unresolved despite the implementation of 100% smart metering under the Revamped Distribution Sector Scheme (RDSS). Frequent curtailments and low-voltage supply have not only disrupted daily life but also caused damage to household appliances and water pumps. Residents argue that these problems persist due to the absence of a proper technical survey by the Power Development Department (PDD), which has failed to assess the actual load requirement in light of the area's growing population and urban spread.
The memorandum also highlights the poor state of street lighting in the ward. Most of the lights, installed under the jurisdiction of Jammu Municipal Corporation, are reportedly non-functional. Responsibility for their maintenance lies with a private agency from outside the state, which, according to the residents, neither maintains a local office nor responds to public complaints. The complete lack of monitoring, maintenance, and remote operation has left several streets in darkness, raising serious safety concerns, especially for women, children, and elderly residents.
Another serious issue raised is the unauthorized use of electric poles by telecom and cable operators. These private players have allegedly installed their equipment on PDD infrastructure without official permission, payment, or compliance with safety standards. This reckless encroachment has led to repeated incidents of short-circuiting and damage to public property, further endangering both infrastructure and human life.
The residents have also expressed concern over the continued delay in municipal elections. The absence of elected representatives, they claim, has led to a vacuum in accountability, with civic departments failing to respond effectively to public grievances. The memorandum stresses that local governance cannot function effectively without elected ward-level leadership empowered to act on behalf of the people.
Furthermore, the memorandum draws attention to the lack of welfare outreach in the ward. Many eligible individuals, including senior citizens, widows, the differently abled, and those entitled to subsidized ration under the PHH category, are reportedly being left out due to poor documentation and awareness. The residents have urged the Department of Social Welfare and the Department of Food and Public Distribution to organize regular camps at the ward level to assist the public in accessing government schemes and entitlements.
In a heartfelt appeal, the residents have requested the Chief Minister to personally visit Ward No. 58 to witness the ground reality. They believe that such a visit would not only reinforce faith in the administration but also motivate local social workers, enhance departmental accountability, and pave the way for holistic and sustainable urban development. This memorandum underscores the growing frustration among Jammu's urban populace over unresolved civic issues and the lack of responsive governance. It remains to be seen how the government will act on this urgent appeal, but the message from the residents is clear: the time for cosmetic fixes is over - what's needed now is decisive and accountable action at the highest level. |
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