JDA Parking Fee Hike Sparks Opposition in Jammu

The Jammu Development Authority's (JDA) parking fee hike at the Jammu bus stand is now gathering steam. Trade bodies, along with political parties, have started mobilising against the fee hike. While the Shiv Sena UBL has warned of launching an agitation in the coming days, the Shri Raghunath Bazar Business Association has demanded that the JDA reduce the increased fee. The Jammu Chamber of Commerce and Industry has also decided to meet the JDA vice-chairman soon, terming the fee hike unjustified. Outside the bus stand parking lot, Shiv Sena (UBT) state president Manish Sawhney said that the government has no control over anything and bureaucracy is dominating. Government departments are taking decisions at their own whims and fancies. Prices of everyday necessities, including food items, are already out of reach for the common man in this inflationary period. At such a time, hiking basic amenities like parking fees by close to 60 per cent is not advisable before the additional parking charges are available in Jammu city's bus stands.