Commissioner Secretary tours Jammu city; reviews working of H&UDD agencies, inspects assets

 JAMMU, Feb 15: Commissioner Secretary, Housing and Urban Development Department (H&UDD), Mandeep Kaur, today conducted an extensive tour of Jammu city and inspected ongoing works under Jammu Smart City project besides inspecting assets of Jammu Municipal Corporation and UEED at Kala Kendra and Bhagwati Nagar, Jammu. 

 Rahul Yadav, JMC Commissioner and Chief Executive Officer of Jammu Smart City project, Chief Engineer UEED, Nasser Kakroo, officers of JSCL, JMC and UEED. 

Mandeep Kaur visited newly constructed repository under Smart Cities Mission by Jammu Smart City Limited at Kala Kendra. She was briefed by the CEO Jammu Smart City about the works carried out, so far. She was informed that work on repository at Kala Kendra has been completed and ready for inauguration. 

 Meanwhile, the Commissioner Secretary also visited electric bus depot at Bhagwati Nagar and reviewed the operational progress on e-buses in Jammu. 

The CEO Smart City assured the operation of all the 9-meter intra-city route buses by the end of February 2024 and 12 Meter Inter district buses by mid of March 2024. 

The representative from TATA and Chalo demonstrated the features of e-Bus along with the online app CHALO for live tracking and ticket booking.

The CEO further apprised that the e-Busses are equipped with cameras and two way communication devices for enabling remote monitoring of the operations from Command-and-Centre.

Mandeep Kaur directed the implementing agencies to further increase the pace of work and complete the pending works at depot/opportunity charging sites at the earliest for smooth operation of electric buses in Jammu City. She also directed the concerned to increase the ridership for maximum benefit of daily commuters in Jammu city. 

Later, the Commissioner Secretary inspected various projects under Swachh Bharat Mission (Urban) including Transfer Station, eGarbage vehicle charging station and Material Recovery Facility (MRF) at Bhagwati Nagar. 

JMC Commissioner apprised her of efforts being made to improve waste collection and disposal network.

The Commissioner Secretary directed the officers to ensure 100 per cent door to door coverage and regular monitoring of sanitation activities for better cleanliness in the city.

 The tour was followed by visit to Faecal Sludge Treatment Plant (FSTP) of 164 KLD, Sewage Treatment Plant (STP) of 30MLD, 10MLD and 27MLD in Bhagwati Nagar.

Chief Engineer UEED, explained about the working of FSTP and STP and operation issues being faced in their operations.

Commissioner Secretary directed the concerned for proper utilization of FSTP and STP and reuse of treated water and sludge in JMC parks and gardens or for irrigation purpose. 

While taking round of works, the Commissioner Secretary stressed upon the officers to ensure strict adherence to quality parameters of each work during execution besides making sure that the assets created are fully utilized. 

Among other Joint Commissioner (H&S), Joint Commissioner (Works), GM (Operation) and GM (Finance) eBus operations and Executive Engineer, UEED were present during the visit.