Dear Editor,
Through the columns of your esteemed newspaper, we wish to draw the attention of the authorities to the alarming encroachment along the road stretch from Bhagat Singh Chowk in Bakshi Nagar to Mahesh Pura Chowk near Government Medical College Jammu.
This entire stretch has been overtaken by unauthorized commercial establishments, including shops, private clinics, diagnostic labs, auto showrooms, and street food vendors. Most of these businesses lack mandatory building permissions, trade licenses, health clearances, and other approvals from the Jammu Municipal Corporation (JMC) and concerned departments. Additionally, the absence of designated parking spaces has drastically reduced the effective road width.
The unchecked encroachment has led to severe daily traffic congestion, especially during peak hours. Students, office-goers, patients visiting hospitals, and local residents face immense inconvenience. Traffic snarls, haphazard parking, and pedestrian obstructions not only waste valuable time but also increase accident risks and pollution levels.
Despite occasional anti-encroachment drives, the problem persists, raising serious concerns about enforcement effectiveness. There is a growing perception that inaction or possible collusion by certain officials has emboldened violators.
We urge the Commissioner, JMC; the Senior Superintendent of Police (Traffic) Jammu; and the Deputy Commissioner Jammu to conduct a joint inspection, launch a sustained removal drive, take strict legal action against violators and negligent officials, and ensure continuous monitoring to prevent re-encroachment.
Timely intervention is essential to restore public space, improve traffic flow, and uphold the rule of law.
Sanjeev Gupta, on behalf of residents of Bhagat Singh Chowk
Bakshi Nagar
