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| Jammu’s busiest commercial center or crumbling junkyard? | | Woes of Transport Nagar traders | | Nagender Jamwal
Early Times Report
JAMMU, Oct 5: Despite being busiest commercial centre, Transport Nagar in Narwal area of Jammu city is an apt example of administrative red-tape, official callousness, confused planning and lack of developmental sense.
In the language of traders whose business houses are located in various yards of this commercial centre, Transport Nagar on account of its worst developmental scenario is a black mole on the face Jammu and Kashmir. The centre reminds one of scrap dealers shop or to be more precise, an old, rotten junkyard, lying unattended since years.
Roads are in extremely bad condition and more importantly, if it rains, forget about entering the area on a two wheeler. Even at times, four wheelers i.e. cars and other light motor vehicles are unable to enter inside the centre, be it from lower Narwal entry point or the upper Narwal, which despite being exit point is used as entrance. More importantly, roads are in extremely bad condition all over transport nagar.
Beginning right from outside Police Station Narwal, roads are badly broken with ditches all over. Traders here lament the fact that while the center was creation of Jammu Development Authority (JDA) and is now responsibility of Jammu Municipal Corporation (JMC), both government agencies are not only reluctant to take up development of this commercial hub but have also out rightly refused to develop it.
Traders maintain that around 20 years ago, Jammu Development Authority (JDA) constructed this commercial center to address business needs of fast expanding Jammu city. After the allotment of shops to the traders, JDA never bothered to look back despite being apprised of the plight in all possible manners. Transport Welfare Association said that there are depots of multinational Companies, and several business establishments which include several yards and around thousand shops.
Association further said that all the owners and customers in this area have been suffering a lot. Association alleged that they went to JDA for pleading for reconstructing state’s one of the most important commercial center. They said that JDA indirectly refused to do it and referred them to UEED. UEED also played truant and referred the aggrieved traders to Jammu Municipal Committee (JMC).
Association leaders maintain that the area does come under JMC but the fact remains that JDA has been collecting ground rent from owners of commercial centers as a matter of routine but doing nothing for the upliftment of the area. Traders say that it is the responsibility of both JMC and JDA to look after the needs of business community. “This way you cannot attract investment. We are living almost in a slum area,” said a trader.
Association stressed that not only roads, sanitation and development but the commercial center is facing an acute shortage of drinking water and electricity. Association also went to Divisional Commissioner Jammu. Association sought immediate repair of Transport Nagar alongside addressing needs of traders. A local Pankaj Kumar said that it is risky to drive through transport nagar since the roads are in extremely bad condition.
Divisional Commissioner Pawan Kotwal said that so far traders have not apprised him about the condition of the area. “I am yet to hear anything like this. But now that you have brought this to my notice, I would like to take quick and concrete action. And as you are telling me, JDA is taking ground rent from the owners; they should not deny taking care of the developmental needs,” added Kotwal.
Similarly, Minister of Revenue Raman Bhalla said that he is aware of the needs of people of this area. “We are working as per the master plan. Bus Stand is to be constructed over here. But now that you have brought this to my notice, I would take up the issue with concerned authorities and get the same redressed,” added Bhalla.
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