JAMMU: The Jammu Municipal Corporation (JMC) today announced a firm stance against the rampant encroachment of ‘nallahs’ (drains/water channels) within the city limits. In a decisive move to restore the natural flow of water and mitigate flood risks, the JMC conducted a targeted demolition drive, successfully removing illegal shuttering and construction that was actively encroaching upon a crucial nallah in the Trikuta Nagar area.
The JMC has reiterated that the encroachment of nallahs is an intolerable offense that poses a direct threat to public safety and infrastructure.
“These water channels are essential for the efficient drainage of rainwater, especially during the monsoon season. Any obstruction reduces the carrying capacity of the nallahs, leading to waterlogging, flooding of low-lying areas and substantial damage to public and private property. Illegal constructions on or near nallahs are not just a violation of law; they are a direct cause of urban flooding. We have adopted a zero-tolerance policy towards such activities,” the JMC authorities added.
They said that the removal of the illegal shuttering at Trikuta Nagar serves as a clear warning: “the JMC will not permit any activity that jeopardizes the city’s drainage network and endangers the lives and property of its residents.”
The enforcement team, on the directions of Commissioner, JMC and under the direct supervision of Joint Commissioner (R&E) successfully demolished and removed the illegal shuttering that was being used to construct an unauthorized structure over the nallah in Trikuta Nagar. This particular encroachment was significantly constricting the water flow, creating a dangerous bottleneck.
The Jammu Municipal Corporation has urged the citizens, residents’ welfare associations, and commercial establishments to cooperate with the Corporation’s efforts to protect public land and infrastructure.