It is a fact that in Jammu drives are going on simultaneously. But the encroachment drive has surpassed the anti-encroachment drive since the last couple of years. The reason is very clear, it is alleged that the encroachment drive is going on with the connivance of concerned authorities including those who initiate anti encroachment drives. But on the other hand anti-encroachment drives are launched in a selective way and for this purpose two lists of encroachers are prepared. One is of those who are not to be targeted and the second one is of those who are to be targeted with much hype. This all is happening when the government is claiming to make Jammu a smart city. Interestingly under such circumstances the development in ‘Smart city Jammu’ is being carried out in self style by the politicians, revenue authorities and Jammu Municipal Corporation members. This is not just an allegation but a fact and can be viewed by any one by having a small tour of the city roads and streets in the colonies. However one may find impressive development in some of the colonies and well macadamized roads in some parts of the city. But one will find such roads and streets only in the VIP areas and not in the most of the areas of the city inhabited by middle or other sections of the society. For example, the roads in Gandhi Nagar colony or in the parts of those colonies where politicians or members of JMC are residing are really a specimen of development and give a look of ‘Smart City’. But in other parts and colonies the condition of roads, streets and drains is also a specimen but of neglect and discriminative attitude of the authorities and JMC. How careless is the behavior and attitude of JMC is that few days back during peak hours of traffic at about six pm the repair of road near Basant Nagar Petrol Pump was carried out on war footing but just few meters away on both sides the same road has several ditches, each one of them prone to accident for two wheelers were ignored and were left on the mercy of Nature. Similarly one can see the damaged road near ‘Janipur Peer Baba turn’ with big ditches, some of them about six to eight inches deep. These are waiting for the ‘kind attention’ of JMC and required repair since long but of no response so far. A small tour of the Ambphalla to Bantalab and then to Thathar on Kot-Bhalwal road will tell numerous stories of neglect. At the same time, a visit on Lower Roop Nagar main road, Bantalab to Muthi will also relate the same story of neglect. Now the story of partial and discriminative development is also being written in the streets. Fresh examples are from Laxmipuram lane No.-1, the residence of local JMC member is located in this lane. The said member a few days blocked the street in the name of development which later on was found to be the development of lanes just around her residence only. The member, by utilizing the public money, managed to get the drain near her compound wall covered and with cement and iron nets completely but all the other parts of the drain were left without even requiring repair. A visit of any honest and sincere officer will automatically have the idea of partial behavior of the member and how the public money has been utilized for personal comfort and benefit.
