Fragile drainage system exposes tall claims of Govt, results huge loss to public property: Bhalla
Jammu, August 1:
JKPCC Working President Raman Bhalla on Monday visited rain affected Bahu Fort, Kalika Colony, Qasim Nagar, Rajiv Nagar, Jalalabad-Bathandi, Trikuta Nagar, Shiva Colony, Gangyal, Pamposh Colony , Rohimorh and Gadigarh areas of Gandhi Nagar constituency and took stock of prevailing situation there and to take stock of the damages caused by monsoon rains. He also visited Rajiv Nagar where a house collapsed due to heavy rain and demanded immediate rescue relief. While a small bridge at Gadigarh in Gandhi Nagar constituency was damaged and also main culvert near SDPO South Office. The flooded Nallah water also entered nearby Police Post and Govt school at Gadigarh besides many adjoining areas. Prominent among those present on the occasion include Panch Gagan Bral, Ajay Kumar, Paras Ram, Harvinder Kour, Ruby Devi, Parmod Kumar, Veena Devi, Kala Ram, Polla Ram, Kuldeep Singh, Pappu Singh, Krishan Lal and others.
In a statement issued to mercury times, while speaking on the occasion, Bhalla said on the one hand, we are fighting against Covid-19 to stop its spread, and on the other, people are facing choked nallahas and poor drainage system in Jammu city. Rainfall caused water-logging in most areas of Jammu thereby exposing the fragile drainage system of city and tall claims of the district administration. As the rains lashed Jammu, majority of the areas witnessed heavy water logging making it difficult for people to move from one place to another. Early in the morning several roads and by-lanes of the city were under water, causing immense hardships to commuters. It was difficult for the commuters to walk on various city roads.
Bhalla blamed the district administration and Jammu Municipal Corporation (JMC) for failing to upgrade the drainage system in the city which often leads to water-logging as soon as there is a downpour. “Authorities have turned deaf ears towards this issue of grave importance. Water logging has badly affected the business as customers are not able to reach the shops they intend to,” he said. Bhalla listened to the grievances of the people and assured to take up the issue with the concerned higher authorities.
While expressing serious concern over the situation arising out of the recent incessant rains in various localities of this constituency, Bhalla said that the Government must take the plight of people seriously, in view of heavy losses suffered by them in these areas as during last year also similar thing happened. Bhalla assured the people that he will leave no stone unturned in extending all sort of help to affected people of these areas. He said the Government and the concerned agencies must be geared up for undertaking these measures. He also expressed concern over the loss by mid night heavy rains to household goods and other damages to the residential houses of these localities and impressed upon the Government to make an assessment of the loss and provide compensation to affected people immediately.
Bhalla demanded adequate relief for those affected by heavy rain causing damage to their house and house hold property. JKPCC Working President said that the Congress party is concerned about the prevailing situation and the safety of the people. He emphasized that there is need for taking immediate measures for the safety of the people of these areas and demanded construction of embankments and dredging of the Nallahs passing through these localities on war footing to ensure free flow of water.
Former Minister asked the Government to take immediate measures for de-silting of nallahs in various localities of Gandhi Nagar constituency. He met the local residents who apprised him of the hardships and damages to their properties in the recent rains. They complained that the inaction on the part of authorities in their failure to undertake de-silting before the onset of rainy season and the non-repairs of the damaged bandhs around the localities at different places has led to great problems to the residents.
Former Minister resented district administration has not learnt any lesson from last year floods. Despite implementation of government sponsored AMRUT project in the area, he said the defunct drainage system in the area has led to water logging and often the drainage water enters residential houses. The problem was compounded by defunct drainage system in various areas.
The choked drains, according to him led to water logging in various city localities. People of Jammu are facing a lot of problems after heavy rainfall, as dirty water entered their houses causing huge damages,” he asserted, demanding measures for proper resettlement of rain affected people. He further said that people residing in landslide affected areas should be shifted to safer places for ensuring their safety. “Government should pay compensation to people whose houses and others household items were damaged due to heavy rainfall, landslides and water-logging,” said Bhalla , urging J&K administration to release compensation in favour of affected people at the earliest.
