District admn working overtime to complete projects at Sultanpur Lodhi
SULTANPURLODHI: The Kapurthala district administration is working overtime to complete the works at Sultanpur Lodhi ahead of the state government’s November 12 event to mark the 550th birth anniversary of Guru Nanak as most of the projects are set to miss the September 30 deadline.
The state government had started works such as widening of roads, construction of bridges and a bus stand in October last year so as to finish them within the stipulated time. But these works picked up momentum a few months back only after the chief minister’s office (CMO) intervened and pulled up the officials concerned, it is learnt.
If the district administration is to be believed, the construction of two footbridges at an estimated cost of ₹1. 25 crore is 80% complete. Widening and strengthening of the roads leading to Fathtudhinga, Lohian and Dalla at an estimated cost of ₹26 crore is 70-90 per cent complete, officials said.
While special repair of the Kala Sanghian road at an estimated cost of ₹2.10 crore is only 50% complete, the work on the TibbiJKM road (₹1.7 crore) and the Ber Sahib road (₹60 lakh) is 80% work pending. Also, repair on Malsian road at ₹19 crore is 60% pending.
The construction of the bus stand is also not complete yet with electrical fittings, doors, windows and plumbing works still to be done. Also, the construction work at the railway station will take at least two weeks, officials said.
“Even the work on giving a facelift to the shops in front of the gurdwara and installation of information boards is yet to begin,” said a senior administration functionary.
Besides, the work on three tented cities to facilitate around 40,000 pilgrims is only half done. The construction of three highlevel bridges over the Kali Bein at an estimated cost of ₹9 crore is also pending. Chief secretary Karan Avtar Singh during his June 18 visit had pulled up the officials for tardy progress.
“We are likely to complete all works before October 15. Important works like widening the roads and repairs will be done till October 10 when chief minister Amarinder Singh will hold a review meeting here,” said Sultanpur Lodhi MLA Navtej Singh Cheema.
He said the recent floods were also a reason behind delay in finishing the works.
THE WORK PICKED UP MOMENTUM ONLY A FEW MONTHS BACK AFTER CMO INTERVENED AND PULLED UP OFFICIALS