Hassle free running of a car accessories workshop on an encroached stretch of road at Auqaf Market, opposite Partap Shoes in Gandhi Nagar, has triggered serious questions about the much-publicised anti-encroachment campaign of the Jammu Municipal Corporation (JMC).
As per residents, the encroachment in question that located at one of the busiest intersections of Gandhi Nagar, has reportedly become a constant source of traffic congestion and inconvenience for residents.
Residents say it is baffling that senior district officials routinely pass this spot, yet no one dares to act against what they call a heavily patronized encroachment in a posh residential area.
Further blaming civic and police authorities of turning a blind eye to what they describe as a “patronised encroachment” on public space, those residing within the vicinity told JK Global News, “These permanent encroachment in posh Gandhi Nagar locality defeat the very idea of a Smart City, adding that the anti-encroachment drive appears selective, targeting poor vendors while sparing influential businessmen’
Fuming over what they called a discriminatory anti-encroachment drive, residents said the workshop’s uninterrupted operation exposes a campaign that cracks down on the weak while sparing the powerful
Narrating the daily difficulties faced by motorists, another resident alleged that the roadside workshop, reportedly run by M/s Nu-Look, is functioning in blatant violation of municipal norms with prolonged impunity.
“By allowing such illegal occupation of public land by wealthy businessmen, authorities are contradicting the very objective of the Jammu Smart City project, where crores of rupees are being spent to improve the city’s landscape,” says another resident of Gandhi Nagar.
Residents also pointed to the recently constructed tiled pedestrian track developed by Jammu City Limited claiming that public funds are being wasted if such spaces are eventually occupied by habitual encroachers.
“Crores are spent on beautification projects only to see them misused by roadside encroachers. Some officials appear more interested in spending funds than ensuring holistic development of the city,” another resident alleged.
Residents opined that if JSCL is sincere about beautifying Jammu, it should first clear and identify roadside encroachment hotspots and turn them into vibrant public spaces with meaningful artistic installations.
“Speaking on the issue, Chand Singh, DC South, JMC, said the authorities are fully aware of the open workshop operating on an encroached stretch of road at a busy point in Auqaf Market and assured that legal action will be initiated soon against influential and power road encroachers in Gandhi Nagar.