Chandigarh: Railway underbridge project to be closed from 2022, people troubled

Jalandhar: The construction of a dual carriage railway underbridge at Urban Estate, Phase-1 here has been stalled for nearly three years, leading to resentment among residents. They said the progress is stalled despite several complaints and requests to the Municipal Corporation, Jalandhar, to expedite the project. The project, estimated to cost Rs 16 crore, was inaugurated by then chief minister Charanjit Singh Channi in December 2021. Excavation at the site began in February 2022 but work was abruptly halted when sewage pipes were damaged during the process. The MC then took over one-and-a-half years to repair the pipes, further delaying the project. However, leakage started even after the repairs were completed in September last year and additional damage was found in the sewage lines. This resulted in the project being put on hold again.

Not just this, the situation has been further complicated by the presence of PSPCL electricity poles on either side of the underbridge, which have not been removed yet. Municipal officials claim they have paid the PSPCL to remove the pillars, but no action has been taken. Meanwhile, residents are growing concerned about the dangerous conditions created by the unfinished excavation work. The site has turned into a big pit filled with sewage water, posing a health and safety hazard. Banwari Lal Shastri, a priest of a temple right in front of the site, criticised the municipal corporation for starting the excavation without coordinating with the electricity department to relocate the pillars. He said several accidents have occurred at the site, especially at night when it is difficult to walk on the uneven surface.

Advocate Sanjeev Sharma, who won a case for public nuisance under Section 133 of the CrPC against the municipal corporation, PSPCL and the railways, expressed displeasure over the continued delay in the project. He said that despite an order by the sub-divisional magistrate of Jalandhar-1 in September 2022 to complete the sewerage work within two months, very little progress has been made. Sharma said the foul smell due to the neglected site and the challenges faced by residents on a daily basis have made their lives miserable. PSPCL superintendent engineer SP Sondhi confirmed that the payment for shifting the pillars has been received just 10 days ago and assured that the work will start soon. MC commissioner Gautam said the pipes were damaged again due to some problem in the STP, which failed to handle excess rainwater properly, and the water accumulated and put pressure on the pipes, leading to leakage. He said immediate repair orders have been given and the XEN has been directed to complete the work.