Unsafe buildings in rly line area a threat to residents

Tribune News Service

Bathinda, December 8

The Bathinda railway authorities had shortlisted more than 50 dilapidated buildings in the railway line area, but till date none of these building has been demolished. Now, these buildings have become a haven for drug addicts and anti-social elements.

Railway employees and area residents lament that many a time they have intimated the railway authorities to either demolish the buildings or make security arrangements, but to no avail.

Gurcharan Singh, a resident, said, “The dilapidated condition of the buildings is not the only problem in the railway line residential area. Public parks have turned into a garbage dumping ground while the streetlights are defunct, causing problems to residents.”

He said drug addicts thronged to public parks, making it unsafe for people to venture out there. The incidents of theft are also on the rise in the area.

He further said that whenever they approached the authorities with a complaint they advised them not to take the route through the railway line area.

A railway employee, who did not wish to be quoted, said, “These unsafe buildings are posing a serious threat to the nearby structures where railway employees are working.”

He said these ruined buildings and parks had become a haven for anti-social elements. GRP and RPF personnel found it tough to nab them, he added.

On unsafe buildings, he said, “Earlier, the railway authorities had issued a tender to demolish the buildings, but no contractor came forward for the job, as they didn’t see any benefit in the deal.”

However, the railway authorities were adamant on the rates of the tenders, he added.

DRM Dinesh Kaumar Sharma, said, “There are 30 abandoned quarters and 15 abandoned service buildings, which are to be dismantled. Dismantling tender has been floated twice, but discharged both times. Last time, the rates were very low and so resurvey is being done. The new tender will be floated within 15 days and these buildings will be demolished over the next six months.”