ERA, PWD lack coordination, blacktopping work get delayed

ERA, PWD lack coordination, blacktopping work get delayed

Yash Khajuria

JAMMU, Oct 8: Lack of co-ordination between the Public Works Department (PWD) and Economic Reconstruction Agency (ERA) has delayed the blacktopping project of the roads in the city.

Many of the roads got damaged after the sewerage laying work in the different localities started by the PWD and ERA department about three months ago. Most of the roads have been damaged due to the sewerage laying works undertaken by the said agencies in the past two years in the city.

Protest demonstrations have been organised by locals against the poor condition of roads and delay on part of the administration to improve the road condition.

Few days back, hundreds of residents of Janipur, New Plot, Sarwal and Disco Morh had taken to streets protesting against the poor condition of roads and delay on part of the administration to improve the condition.

“Every day entire stretch from Amphalla to Buta Nagar locality face chaotic conditions as hundreds of vehicles are caught in traffic jams. There is total disruption of normal life in the areas, as the dust blowing due to the plying of vehicles create lot of problems for the people”, said a local, Randeep Singh.

At the moment there are 21 roads having aggregate length of 12 kilometers which are damaged in the city. Further there are many localities were streets have been dug out by the contractors for laying sewerage lines.

“Administration has assured us that work will start in first week of this month and in past few days labourers are seen lifting the debris. Let us hope they stick to the schedule”, said Sunil Dimple, a local leader.

According to the officials, slow pace of work is mainly because of lack of coordination between Economic Reconstruction Agency (ERA), Jammu Municipal Corporation (JMC) and National Building Construction Corporation (NBCC) which have failed to complete the works initiated by them in the city.

“To face this problem on daily have become a routine practice for marching mass  as the department concerned is  not considering any complaint of the locals, normal life gets completely disrupted in these areas, as the dust that blows due to the plying of vehicles creates lot of problems for the people,” said Rakesh Kumar,  advocate in court.

When contacted, Muhammad Rafiq, Assistant Executive Engineer (AEE) said that work has been initiated in areas which have been handed over by the ERA. “Till Agency hands us over the areas fully completed, work can be started only after that”.