Ruhani Sawhney
Jammu, July 12:
It has been over a year since the term of the Jammu Municipal Corporation expired, yet no new Urban Local Body (ULB) elections have been announced. While residents across wards face administrative neglect, Ward No. 48, which includes Gorkha Nagar, is seeing growing frustration. Citizens are reaching out to former Corporators in hopes of resuming long-pending development.
Northlines spoke to Sham Lal Basan, Ex-Corporator of Ward No. 48, to understand the challenges being faced, the condition of civic infrastructure, and the deeper issues behind the stalled progress.
“People Are Suffering Because the System is Leaderless”
Northlines:
Mr. Basan, you served for five years as Corporator. What development work did you manage to undertake during your tenure?
Sham Lal Basan:
When I was elected as Corporator, I took up development works across the ward seriously. In total, I executed projects worth over ₹1.40 crore. Specifically for Gorkha Nagar, I had sanctioned ₹42 lakh for various works. However, by the time the execution phase began, the municipal term had ended, and assembly elections had taken place. So, the works were ultimately executed through the MLA.
Even now, the streets we had proposed for repair are the same ones where people are still suffering. Roads remain damaged and need urgent repair. Whether it’s water supply issues, non-functional street lights, or poor electricity service – no one is paying attention. There is no one to question or be held accountable.
“Gorkha Nagar’s Parking Turned into a Dumping Yard”
Northlines:
We were contacted by residents of Gorkha Nagar who expressed concern over sanitation. They say no safai karamchari has been seen for weeks. Also, the parking lot in Gorkha Nagar, which was developed with public money, is not being used and has been turned into a dumping yard. What is your view?
Sham Lal Basan:
This is extremely unfortunate. When citizens don’t see garbage collection vehicles from JMC (Jammu Municipal Corporation), they are left with no choice but to dump waste in open areas. That parking space was meant to decongest roads, but it is now being misused. This is a direct waste of taxpayer money.
Moreover, the parking charges set by JMC are excessively high. I strongly request the JMC Commissioner to reconsider and reduce parking charges so that residents of Ward 48 can benefit from the ₹1.50 crore project. Unless people use the parking space, traffic congestion will continue, and roads will remain blocked.
“No Visits from Officials, No Action on Complaints”
Northlines:
After your term ended and the Corporation dissolved, how often have senior JMC officials visited your ward?
Sham Lal Basan:
When I was Corporator, there were regular inspections. Every month, I facilitated visits from senior officials and even the Mayor. Work happened on the ground.
But now, nothing is happening. Street lights are not working, water supply is irregular, and electricity bills are increasing without justification. There is zero accountability. This situation will not improve until fresh elections are held. Until then, everything will continue to deteriorate.
“Only a Corporator Knows the Reality of Every Street”
Northlines:
What is your message to the administration regarding the need for ULB elections?
Sham Lal Basan:
Development may be happening on paper, but on the ground, nothing is visible. An MLA’s constituency is too large for them to monitor every street. Only a Corporator knows which street is damaged, where the light is broken, and which area needs water supply.
The public is calling Sarpanches, Panchs, and even former Corporators like me – but none of us currently have any power or funding. JMC has the authority now, but they are failing to act. If officials really want to help, they can do everything. But the reality is far from the Smart City narrative.
Conclusion: “Smart City or Stalled City?”
Despite being part of the ambitious Jammu Smart City project, the ground situation in Ward No. 48 suggests otherwise. Citizens face daily issues – from sanitation and poor lighting to parking misuse and water shortages. The lack of local governance, delayed elections, and bureaucratic apathy have left neighborhoods like Gorkha Nagar in limbo.
Ex-Corporator Sham Lal Basan sums it up best:
“People want development, but without elections, there is no fund, no leadership, and no accountability. Jammu is not getting smarter – it’s only getting worse.”
