Locals seek probe into road cave-ins

Neeraj Bagga

Tribune News Service

Amritsar, September 25

After many roads caved in and an under construction BRTS bridge collapsed, residents have demanded a probe into these incidents. They said the responsibility of contractors and officials should be fixed for these lapses.

Amritsar Vikas Manch president Prof Mohan Singh, general secretary Manjit Singh Saini, patron Daljit Singh Kohli, senior vice-president Nirmal Singh Anand, additional secretary Kuldeep Singh and member Gurdial Singh, who is an engineer, said it was scandalous that surface infrastructure at prominent places collapsed due to downpour.

They said a large section of a road caved in due to rain and sloughing of earth. They said a construction company dug up a 30-40-deep pit adjoining the road, which led to the caved-in. They said no proper precautions and measures were taken to prevent sloughing of earth.

They added that it was the main reason for the cave-in.

The Amritsar Vikas Manch sought a high-level inquiry into all aspects, including technical point of view, for the damage so that similar mishaps may not happen in future.

Surjit Singh, a resident of Partap Nagar said an under construction BRTS bridge collapsed on the GT Road, which witnessed a large number vehicles.

Congress councillor Vikas Soni said he visited Ward No. 69, 70 and 71, which included areas such as Fateh Singh Colony, Angar, Fatahpur, Brariwal and Baba Jiwan Singh Colony.

Mayor Karamjit Singh Rintu said rain had exposed the quality of material used during the SAD-BJP regime. He said neither regular procedure was followed nor any check was carried out to ensure the delivery of quality work.