Project to shift dairies in limbo

Gagan K Teja

Tribune News Service

Patiala, February 14

The much-awaited project of the Municipal Corporation to shift dairies out of the city continues to be in limbo despite the fact that it was proposed almost one-and-a-half decade ago during the last term of the Congress government. 

Under the project, besides shifting the dairies, the government had proposed to set up a biogas plant, a sewage treatment plant and a veterinary hospital to streamline the complete working of these dairies.

Chief Minister Capt Amarinder Singh had announced the project in 2003 but it failed to kick off despite the fact that there has been a lot of hue and cry over the shifting of about 150 dairies running in the city.

It was only last year when the civic body invited tenders for the construction of dairies on the outskirts of Patiala on 21-acre stretch at Ablowal village. The MC had opened tenders at a reserved price of Rs 7 crore and had allotted these at 15 per cent less charges to NH Constructions.

The project site had approximately 200 plots. Of these, 150 were to be allotted to the dairies operating from city limits while the remaining plots to others through a government auction.

In September, 2017, the State Town Planning Department had raised objections over the site claiming that it was already designated for the agricultural sector and thus, the MC should change its master plan. 

Thereafter, the MC proposed the change in October last year and the Housing and Urban Development Department gave its approval for the amendment in the master plan of the site.

The department has moved the file in this regard and it will be presented before the Cabinet for the final approval.

Mayor Sanjeev Bittu said the civic body was serious about all pending projects and as soon as they get approval from the Cabinet, the shifting process would be started. “We have already chalked out a plan related to the facilities which are required. Once we get the go-ahead, it will be done on a priority basis,” he added.

Veterinary hospital proposed

• Under the project, besides shifting the dairies, the government had proposed to set up a biogas plant, a sewage treatment plant and a veterinary hospital to streamline the complete working of these dairies. 
• Chief Minister Capt Amarinder Singh had announced the project in 2003 but it failed to kick off despite the fact that there has been a lot of hue and cry over the shifting of about 150 dairies running in the city.