JAMMU: In a major push to enhance cleanliness and civic hygiene ahead of Republic Day celebrations, Mandeep Kaur, Commissioner Secretary, Housing and Urban Development Department, Jammu & Kashmir, on Friday conducted an extensive sanitation drive in Jammu city under the “Swachh Republic Day” campaign.
The initiative aims to ensure a clean, safe and healthy urban environment in the run-up to January 26. Under the special campaign, comprehensive cleanliness drives are being carried out across all wards under the jurisdiction of the Jammu Municipal Corporation (JMC).
The sanitation drive focused on removal of legacy waste from vacant plots, cleaning of Garbage Vulnerable Points (GVPs), lifting of Construction and Demolition (C&D) waste from roadsides, removal of overgrown bushes, tree pruning and grass cutting, desilting of deep drains to prevent waterlogging, cleaning and maintenance of public toilets, and addressing the issue of stray animals in residential areas.
On the first day, focused sanitation activities were carried out in Ward Nos. 20, 21, 22, 23 and 73. The Commissioner Secretary inspected various locations along with Dr. Devansh Yadav, Commissioner, JMC, and other senior officers, who briefed her on the ongoing sanitation measures and ground-level challenges.
Localities including Gandhi Nagar, Valmiki Colony, Sanjay Nagar, Shastri Nagar, Nai Basti and Nanak Nagar were covered during the drive. Mandeep Kaur issued on-the-spot directions for immediate removal of GVPs, C&D waste and garden waste, and instructed officials to initiate compounding and enforcement action against defaulters violating sanitation and waste management norms.
She informed that 10 such sanitation drives have been scheduled till January 26, 2026, and directed all concerned officers to remain personally present during these drives. Directions were also issued for identifying and removing encroachments on footpaths and public spaces, including illegal extensions, rehries and fencing, stressing zero tolerance towards violations of civic norms.
Exhorting officers and field staff of JMC to carry out the drives with zeal and dedication, the Commissioner Secretary emphasized that the impact must be clearly visible on the ground. She underscored the need for sustained cleanliness through regular monitoring, strict enforcement and coordinated efforts.
Appealing to the general public, Mandeep Kaur urged citizens to cooperate with the Jammu Municipal Corporation by maintaining cleanliness, avoiding littering, segregating waste at source and refraining from encroaching upon public spaces, stating that public participation is vital to make Jammu a cleaner, healthier and more livable city.
