VFJ’s abandoned staff quarters become safe haven for criminals

By Ashish Rajput :

Abandoned residential quarters of Vehicle Factory Jabalpur (VFJ) have become as safe havens for anti-social elements in the estate area. Residents in VFJ Estate are living in panic-like situation due to entry of unwanted elements in the estate area but factory administration is yet to pay attention on maintaining law and order arrangements due to absence of resources.

It may be noted that nearly 3,000 residential quarters were available for employees of Vehicle Factory Jabalpur but only 1,700 to 1,800 quarters are occupied and the rest are abandoned. Sources informed that 268 quarters have been declared condemned but factory administration is yet to fulfil the requirements to ensure their demolition while rest abandoned quarters become best place for criminals and unrestricted anti-social activities.

The lack of security arrangements in VFJ Estate area can be ascertained looking at the condition of abandoned quarters where thieves have taken away doors and windows and pipe fittings. There is a separate Estate Management Committee in the factory that is working under the chairmanship of VFJ General Manager while senior administrative officers and employees’ representatives are the members of this committee. Now, the condition of abandoned residential quarters is no less than debris and there is rampant misuse of precious Government property.