Malu Kerni
While Government is busy with the paper work to build new infrastructure, flyovers, roads, half constructed buildings have become shelters for roofless and is turning into new slums in Jammu City.
Flyovers make a cozy home for these migrants in the city. Moreover, it is free and no one is there to question. “One can live here without any fear,” said Geeta Devi a rag picker.
“If there are no flyovers, still we aren’t worried as there is a lot of free space on the new roads constructed and half constructed buildings. We get overhanging trees, weeds to cut whenever we need firewood. What more can anyone want ?” said Kishore (Geeta’s father).
Most of these spaces are used by people working on the roads indulging in begging or selling small items. “We live here and work at the canal road, Raghunath Bazaar, Parade. We sell ropes, artificial jewellery, rings, watches, etc. We can make anything from Rs. 1500 upwards on a good day. Families and children stay here and there are lot of people from other states also. Since, we have no other place to live, we all are residing here,” added Kishore.
The space under flyovers is also used by rickshaw pullers, ice-cream vendors and hawkers to sleep at night as it is an open house.
“In our city there are several children living alone and they often are seen living in small clusters near their area of work. These are rag pickers, working at construction sites, at tea stalls, etc. Many of them use these flyovers as a place to seek shelter at night,” said Ratan Lal Gupta, a shopkeeper in Jewel area.
“We wonder why the authorities allow this entire nuisance. At the entry of the residential colony they are allowing the rag-pickers to establish another colony under these flyovers which really gives a bad impression. Moreover, ours is a very sensitive state and such things can pose a security threat to the security,” said another local.
It is a serious issue and needs proper attention. The need of the hour is that the concerned authorities and civil administration should keep a check on these growing colonies under flyovers and in other open space.
