Vigilant residents keep close watch on construction works by Pathankot MC

Having seen the fate of old construction works undertaken by the Pathankot municipal corporation, which have been of low quality and have hardly

Having seen the fate of old construction works undertaken by the Pathankot municipal corporation, which have been of low quality and have hardly lasted long, the residents have become more vigilant now. They could be seen coming to the construction site in their locality in large number and questioning the contractors and their workers, who hardly used to bother about them in the past.

In 2012, roads were constructed in Pathankot with a fund of Rs 10 crore. However, those were dilapidated soon after its making. The local residents did make a hue and cry about it, but in vain.(HT Photo)

In 2012, roads were constructed in Pathankot with a fund of Rs 10 crore. However, those were dilapidated soon after its making. The local residents did make a hue and cry about it, but in vain. There was even clash between some locals with the contractors over the poor quality of roads, but it too went unnoticed. As a result, the city residents had to bear the brunt of broken roads for many years.

“However, those days seem to be over, as the locals have decided to take on the contractor over the quality of roads from the beginning,” said Jan Jagran Manch president BD Chugh, who has mobilised the locals to fight for their rights.

“We cannot let them do as per their will with our hard earned money, which we pay them in the form of heavy taxes,” he said, adding, “We will first ask the contractor to do the work as per the specifications and if he doesn’t follow the procedures, we can even take him to the court.”

“We are having a neutral contractor, doctors, engineers and other intellectuals in our team who go and see the ongoing work and raise objection when the contractor is not doing his work as per the specifications,” he said, adding, “We are keeping a close watch on the ongoing work at Improvement Trust Road and if we will find anything going on not according to the rules, we will seek action against the concerned contractor.”

Meanwhile Pathankot deputy commissioner Sukhvinder Singh claimed that he would also not tolerate any substandard work in the making of roads. He said roads should be made such that it should last for many years. “I am here to listen to any grievance on the construction works,” he said.