By Arfat Khan
JAMMU: Even after spending whooping Rs 25 crores on consultancy firm for “designing” blue print of “Smart City” for Jammu sadly some strategic roads in heart of the city remained sinks in pitch dark and awaits tragedy.
There are plenty of lofty poles which adorn prominent city roads but sadly the street lights installed on it are yet to be turned on.
A ride through the Hotel Raddison upto ASCOM Hospital on Wednesday night revealed that none of the street lights had been switched on since long which virtually turned this entire stretch a nightmare for the law abiding citizens and a haven for anti-social elements. The road looks haunted and there is urgent need to illuminate this road stretch upto ASCOM Hospital, avers Dr Rohit Sharma.
There are 35 street light poles on this road stretch upto way to Bahu Ropeway station with lone defunct traffic light signal installed during “glorious era” of the then JMC commissioner Ramesh Kumar. “What is the purpose of utilising public exchequer on installation of these street light poles when it fails to work since its inception” said Dr Amit Kumar who daily takes this route to his work place in ASCOM hospital.
This is one of the city busiest road which leads to ASCOM hospital and Sidhara colony but astonishingly not even a single street light was ever seen turned on it, said Advocate Hashim Ali.
The administration seems more interested in spending on projects rather on percolating its benefits to the citizens. It reflects poor governance, he further added.
Similar is the fate of city busiest flyover of MLA hostel where for the last 20 days the street lights are not working.
Due to dysfunctional street lights, it’s dangerous for the motorists to negotiate on curve due repair work underway on this flyover, said a Police officer.
No one expect this much deterioration of infrastructure in heart of the city which is all set to be crowned as “Smart City”, asserts Social Activist Randeep Singh Parihar. The concerned officers in Jammu Municipal Corporation must synergise themselves and needs to be smart to instantly respond to the complaints of the citizens towards faulty street lights added Parihar.
Sudhir Bali who’s holding charge of Jt Commissioner (A) JMC said “We are apprised of the matter and our men are on job to illuminate the street lights on priority”