E-Paper
Many roads yet to be repaired
DESPITE CLEAR-cut instructions by the Chief Minister Mulayam Singh Yadav to the officers to provide top quality facilities to the visitors during the Ardh Kumbha Mela here in January the work is progressing at a snail's pace.
DESPITE CLEAR-cut instructions by the Chief Minister Mulayam Singh Yadav to the officers to provide top quality facilities to the visitors during the Ardh Kumbha Mela here in January the work is progressing at a snail's pace.
Only 45 days are left for the start of Mela but majority of roads in city areas are yet to be repaired or re-laid. Condition of streetlights is apathetic. Nagar Nigam officers' claim that all roads would be repaired/re-laid by October end proved a hallow. Except a few roads in Civil Lines area, the work on other roads is yet to be undertaken by the NN and PWD as well.
Municipal Commissioner Satya Narayan Srivastava too had said that the road construction would be completed by October. Interestingly, beautification work carried out in Katra on the initiatives of then NN administrator and District Magistrate Amrit Abhijat has not completed so far while it has been causing inconvenience to residents and passers-by.
Ironically that work should have been completed by Dussehra.
It may be mentioned that during a meeting held in Lucknow to review the Ardha Kumbh mela preparations on June 20, 2006 the CM had said that whatever basic amenities were required to be provided to the pilgrims and tourists should be of good quality and long lasting.
Directing the officers to undertake the development work related to Mela on a war footing, the CM had said that it should be ensured that the pilgrims get necessary articles easily.
He had said that a budget of Rs. 170 crore had been earmarked for the Ardh Kumbha Mela. The CM had directed the officers to construct roads in such a manner that there was no need to re-construct them in future. He had also directed the officers to ensure effective drinking water supply so that people got easy access to drinking water. A sewage treatment plant should be set up so that people take holy dip in clean water of Ganga, he had pointed out.
He had also directed the officers to make permanent arrangement for streetlights and high mast besides proper sanitary and medical arrangements at the Mela. Giving December 15 deadline to the officers to complete the Mela preparations, the CM asked the Chief Secretary to continuously monitor the progress by holding meeting with the senior officers of the departments of Finance, Planning, Urban Development and UPPCL.
The Chief Minister had directed the officers to complete the work at the earliest.
The officers/employees showing disinterest in Mela preparations would be dealt severely, he warned. But it has no meaning to officers.
Much acclaimed installation of High Mast in Mela and city area to attract people has flopped. Even, streetlight in Civil Lines area is lying dysfunctional for past several days. If the attitude of the authorities remained the same then quality facilities as claimed by the government would remain a distant dream for the pilgrims as well as citizens.
