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| Under construction Rajouri Town Hall victim of official neglect | | | Early Times Report
Rajouri, Feb 10: The Town Hall situated in the heart of city was the only place to host marriage functions, religious and social functions as well as political rallies before 2010,has now become a refuge for stray animals, parking place for Municipality and civil vehicles, dumping place for the used wine bottles by the nearby Bar owner and being used as open urinals that is creating trouble for commuters have to cover their nose while passing in front of it.
The city dwellers while organising functions were facing difficulties during rains as there was no covered area and they were demanding a well furnished and covered hall ad rooms.
On the repeated demands by the dwellers that the uncovered community center must have a covered hall, accommodation for those people who book it for their functions along with modern facilities, it was dismantled in 2010 and the construction work was started with tender cost of Rs2.8 crores.
Azam Khan contractor started construction work and Rs 50 lakh were released by the PWD on the directions of the Chief Minister for this dream project.
After spending more than one crore the contractor stopped work in 2011 alleging that the department has not released his payment.
The work remains suspended for more than 16 months. After the mounting pressure and resentment by the habitats Minister for Roads and Building Abdul Majid Wani along with Shabir Khan local MLA and Health Minister ( independent charge) visited the Town Hall in the month of September to lat foundation stone .
Both the Ministers assured the people that soon the funds will be released but habitats had said that instead laying foundation stone Minsters should make it sure to release the required funds.
Pertinent to mention that this project was announced by the Chief Minister to woo the voters of Rajouri city and was not placed in any plan. Abdul Majid Wani, Minister for R&B during his visit had announced Rs 20 lakhs assistance from his ministry funds for the resumption of the construction work.
But after few days the construction was again stopped by the contractor alleging that the Rs 20 lakh announced by the Minister was not released yet and he had spent more than Rs 80 lakh from his pocket.
"As the project was not placed in any plan, the department is not getting financial assistance for this project which has become the main hurdle in the completion of this project.
The work was started under Non Functional Building (NFB) project and Rs 50 lakh was released by the then DDC" said Abdul Majid Wani , executive engineer PWD.
He added that few days ago the department has received an amount of Rs 20 lakh from Housing &Urban development department which will soon be released to the contractor.
Azam said that he has spent more than Rs 80 lakh from his pocket and department has not released any more payment. After four years the cost of material as well as labor charges have been increased more than 30 percent and as of now the detail project report touches more than Rs 3 crores. |
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