Goindwal Sahib Central Jail project in limbo
TARN TARAN: The construction work of Central Jail project at Goindwal Sahib, 20 km, from the district headquarter, is in limbo for nearly one and a half year. The public works department (PWD) has not received the required funds from the government to complete the work.
PWD had initiated the construction work in December 12, 2013 supposed to be complete by June 6, 2015, but due to fund crunch and government apathy, the work failed to meet the deadline.
The then Badal government had sanctioned ₹153 crore for the work and the PWD had hired Sunil Hi-tech Company for the project.
The company had further allocated the work to small contractors but owing to lack of funds failed to disburse money. The contractors stopped the work in Feb, 2016.
One of the contractors on the condition of anonymity said, “We were not paid for earlier works and we could not resume the work until paid.”
Executive engineer Daljit Singh said, “60%work has been completed. Due to shortage of funds we were unable to complete the construction.As soon as we will receive funds from the government the remaining work will be completed.”
“As the state government has presented the budget, we are hopeful that we will soon receive funds,” said the Xen.
The Central Jail to be constructed on 84 acres will have an administrative block, 13 barracks for men prisoners, 2 for women prisoners, a crèche, a hospital, a de-addiction centre, an isolation cell, residence for jail superintendent, assistant jail superintendent, a hostel, residence for workers in 650 square ft, 4 religious places, a central watch tower, security walls, sewage treatment plant, water tanks, a power sub-station etc.
The jail will have the capacity to hold 3,000 inmates.