Jammu Apr 20 PTI Asserting that the mercury may rise up to 47 degrees Celsius here this summer Jammu Municipal Corporation Commissioner Avny Lavasa on Wednesday appealed to the people to keep water bowls for stray animals to help them beat the heat Lavasa said the scorching heat is not only taking a toll on humans but also affecting stray animals cattle and birds Every year a number of animals and birds die of heat stroke and one major reason behind their untimely death is lack of access to drinking water she said We can save these animals and birds from the plight of summer months by putting a bowl of water outside our homes at prominent places and offices the JMC commissioner said Lavasa further pointed out that lack of water induces aggressive behaviour in animals and putting water bowls outside homes and offices can keep them in check She appealed to the people to let humanity prevail in these tough times by caring for these voiceless creatures The winter capital Jammu recorded the seasons hottest day on April 11 at 396 degrees Celsius which was 75 notches above normal PTI AB NB CK CK

Jammu Jan 29 PTI Smooth flow of traffic and better pedestrian facilities are on the cards as the Jammu Smart City Limited JSCL on Saturday signed two separate agreements for the development of 23 junctions and for setting up smart traffic booths in different parts of the city an official saidThe agreement for the development of junctions was signed and exchanged between JSCL Chief Executive Officer Avny Lavasa and representative of RSB Projects Limited Suresh Gupta he saidThe official said the contract for setting up smart traffic booths was signed and exchanged between JSCL Additional Chief Executive officer Hitesh Gupta and a representative of Ved Paul DewanBoth the projects are being undertaken by JSCL under the Smart City Mission programme of the Union Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs MoHUA the official saidHe said the 23 junctions across the city will be developed and equipped with better facilities for citizensThe major works taken up under the junctions improvement programme include geometric improvement pickup-drop off locations lighting street furniture tree line bus top location of traffic signal drainage through catchpits toilets and water ATMs the official said Lavasa said the facelift of junctions would add a neat and clean look to the city of templesThe completion of the project will provide better facilities to citizens as well as tourists she saidEnsuring all possible help to the project executing agency Lavasa directed officials to complete the project within the stipulated time frameIn the first phase the smart traffic booths will be established at 25 different locations across the city she said adding these locations have been identified in consultations with traffic police at strategically important and critical junctions for smooth traffic movement She said the smart traffic booths will be equipped with modern facilities and will be able to maintain pleasant temperature inside according to weather conditions The booths will also have a single unit prefabricated toilet facility the official saidLavasa said these smart traffic booths are equipped with proper sitting arrangements as well as with other facilities to enable Traffic cops to deliver their duties with more dedication PTI TAS ANB ANB