Jammu, July 25: The city residents here might be getting respite from the sweltering heat due to the monsoon showers, but they are simultaneously facing tremendous hardships due to rampant digging of roads, demolished footpaths and chocked drains.
In sharp contrast to other states where digging of roads is discontinued during monsoon-from June to September-to prevent the city from turning into a mess, the National Building Construction Corporation men and machinery are busy digging up roads in old city to lay the drainage pipe.
The company, sources said, was in rush and had violated all prescribed construction norms due to the fact that the project was already running late and the digging work virtually gets paralysed during the Durbar move to allow smooth flow of VIP movement.  Two busy markets in the city, Chowk Chobutra and Pacca Danga, have virtually turned into a dumping place where large heaps of debris have not only affected the business of shopkeepers, but also made the entire road stretch between Mubarak Mandi and Pacca Danga non-motorable.
The local shopkeepers accused the authorities concerned of ignorant attitude towards the issue. They alleged that it was a deliberate move to keep the system disturbed for masses.
The NBCC, which is the sole executing agency, though claimed that every possible measure was been taken so that the people don’t face hardships.
Even as the executing agencies are not restoring the roads to their original shape, the continuous digging and road-cutting pose great threat to pedestrians and commuters particularly during the night.
“The unorganized digging of roads throughout the length and breadth of the city for carrying out various works is one of the main features that call for an introspection. Why the NBCC finds monsoon as a feasible period for carrying out digging?” questioned a shopkeeper.
He suggested that the authorities should have carried out development activities before monsoon. “It speaks about the department’s corrupt system, which is also posing additional burden on the state exchequer”.
The furious shopkeeper also charged the NBCC and JMC authorities of turning “nelson’s eye” on the issue.
On being asked about exigency of digging in monsoon, Jammu Municipal Corporation, Commissioner, Mubarak Singh passed the buck on NBCC authorities, saying “It would be better to ask the executing agency.”
Talking to Greater Kashmir, NBCC General Manager, Hem Raj tried to link the digging work with Durbar move saying, “It is virtually impossible for us to carry out activities including digging when offices move to Jammu. The contractors generally cease all contacts with NBCC till Durbar remains in Jammu”, he said.
He however, claimed that the Corporation would take care of the problems being faced by the people and all possible measures would be taken to restore the roads to their original shape.

Lastupdate on : Sun, 25 Jul 2010 21:30:00 Makkah time
Lastupdate on : Sun, 25 Jul 2010 18:30:00 GMT
Lastupdate on : Mon, 26 Jul 2010 00:00:00 IST