Roads in Jammu becoming death traps, thanks to unplanned digging

Tahir Mushtaq

JAMMU, Sept 29: Despite clear directions from the government to its departments and private agencies to desist from digging up newly constructed roads for at least three years for any purpose, the regulation is being openly violated at many places in Jammu where the phenomenon has been started yet again.

At various localities, the workers hired by the telecom companies are busy in digging the roads to lay new telephone lines, an annual affair taken up after every Darbar move giving an ugly look to the city.

People allege that the construction agencies leave the dug up roads for several 
months, putting the locals to great inconvenience. The dug up roads also become a 
cause of accidents.

The basic issue is why such thing is allowed and why agencies like Jammu Municipal Corporation (JMC) and Roads and Buildings Department (R&B) department remain silent over the whole matter. However, both the government agencies associated with giving approval pass on bucks to each other.

If sources are to be believed these agencies are taking extra advantages from the 
government department by digging lanes and roads frequently creating problems for the people.

Sources also said that state government has asked the government and private 
agencies not to dig up newly constructed roads for at least three years for any 
purpose, but without bothering the direction of the government they openly violate 
the directive.

Surjeet Singh a local resident said that the higher officials of the concern department needs to take some concrete steps against the agencies as the private agencies repeatedly digging the streets for one reason or the other causing problems for the pedestrians and bikers.

Singh added that many these also results in traffic jams, due to which we are not 
able to reach on time to our destination.

When contacted Commissioner, Jammu Municipal Corporation, Jammu, S C Sawhney said that the government has given the permission to the private agencies i.e National Building Construction Company (NBCC) and Economic Reconstruction Agency (ERA) to dig the streets and roads for installation of telephone line and drainage pipes.