Jammu Tawi: Sunil Dimple, President Mission Statehood, led a strong protest rally along with a large group of traders and residents across several areas including Amphalla, Janipur, and High Court Road, blocking traffic in the process. The protest was aimed at highlighting the severe sanitation issues and infrastructure problems plaguing Jammu city. The protestors voiced their concerns against the Jammu Municipal Corporation (JMC), Economic Reconstruction Agency (ERA), Jammu Development Authority (JDA), and Public Works Department (PWD) for their failure to address worsening conditions. The protest was sparked by issues such as the lack of proper waste collection, heaps of garbage in several areas, poor traffic management, bad roads, and inadequate street lighting.
Dimple addressed the gathering, accusing the Jammu Municipal Corporation of failing to provide essential services despite collecting large revenues from residents, traders, hoteliers, and businesses. He alleged that the vehicles meant for house-to-house waste collection were out of order and not operating in several wards, leading to poor sanitation throughout the city. Dimple also pointed out the dilapidated conditions of the roads and the ongoing traffic congestion.
Dimple emphasized that all localities in Jammu, including East Jammu, West Jammu, Sarwal, Rehari, Bakshi Nagar, Talab Tillo, and other areas, were suffering due to the shortage of waste collection vehicles and poor management. Dimple urged Chief Minister Omar Abdullah to intervene and issue directives to the JMC to stop the demolition drives in markets, which he claimed were harassing traders. Dimple also called for the construction of a Metro train route from Amphalla Manda to Janipur High Court, and additional flyovers at key junctions such as Rehari Chungi and Jewal Chowk to alleviate traffic woes. Several traders joined the protest, including Bilo Pahlwan, Arun Verma, Vikas, Daleep, S Kala Singh, Raspal Singh, Devinder Singh, and Akash, all expressing solidarity for the cause and calling for immediate action from local authorities.
