JAMMU: In a move aimed at streamlining vending activities and enhancing the visitor experience around the historic Bahu Fort and Bagh-e-Bahu area, Jammu Smart City Limited (JSCL) on Thursday allotted 11 modern carts, 10 shops and five pre-fabricated kiosks to vendors.
The units were allotted by MLA Vikram Randhawa in the presence of Chief Executive Officer, Jammu Smart City, Dr. Devansh Yadav.
Additional CEO JSCL Subha Mehta, Senior General Manager (Civil) Rajesh Abrol, GM Civil Saleem Ul Sabah, AEE Civil Vivek Chopra, and other senior officials from JSCL and the Jammu Municipal Corporation were also present during the programme.
The initiative forms part of the broader Jammu Smart City project to develop and beautify the Bahu Fort precinct as a major tourism and cultural hub, while simultaneously creating organised livelihood opportunities for local vendors.
Speaking on the occasion, MLA Vikram Randhawa underscored the importance of systematic planning and discipline at religious and commercial sites. He said that places of faith such as Bawe Wali Mata attract a large number of devotees and tourists, and commercial activities around such areas must be properly organised to ensure adequate space for visitors, seating arrangements and smooth vehicular movement.
He appreciated the works undertaken under the Smart City project and noted that several pending projects had now been completed and handed over. Randhawa urged vendors to cooperate in maintaining order and shift their carts to designated vending zones so that pilgrims and tourists can visit the shrine comfortably and leave with a positive impression.
He added that better coordination and unity among stakeholders could significantly improve Jammu’s markets and give the city a renewed identity.
CEO Jammu Smart City, Dr. Devansh Yadav, said that extensive development and beautification works are underway at Bahu Fort to strengthen it as a tourism and cultural destination. He added that JSCL is gradually creating planned vending and activity zones across the city to support the livelihoods of economically weaker sections while maintaining urban discipline.
Referring to the new vending zones, Yadav said they are being developed as part of a broader traffic and urban management plan to enable street vendors to operate in an organised manner with improved facilities.
He further stated that enforcement teams of the Jammu Municipal Corporation will continue drives against encroachments on footpaths and public spaces where goods are displayed outside designated areas.
