Patiala district administration to raze ramp near marriage palace after opposition by locals

Following opposition by the local residents, the majority of them government officials, the district administration has decided to dismantle an illegal ramp being built just at the entrance of Bhawalpur Marriage Palace.

The residents of Police Lines were in for a shock when an over three-foot-tall ramp came up just outside the palace. “Last monsoon, the wall or my government house collapsed as rainwater flooded the area. The three-foot ramp outside the marriage palace can lead to inundation of my house even during a normal rain spell,” says Arjesh Kumar.

The public works department has not been allotted this work. The contractor is completing the ramp without any approval in writing, putting government property and innocent lives at risk. “I was asked by the SDM to complete this,” said the contractor at the spot. When asked if he had any permission or an approved map, he tried to escape without answering the question.

During heavy rain, water accumulates on the road near the government houses, leading to a flood-like situation. The residents alleged that the ramp alongside the boundary wall will hinder the flow of rainwater causing frequent flooding. Usually, the rainwater enters the marriage palace, which is run by the government.

Earlier, Health Minister Dr Balbir Singh had asked the Municipal Corporation to lay a pipeline to carry excess rainwater into the Model Town drain. However, after spending lakhs on the project, the drain did not work and rainwater continues to trouble Tripuri and Police Line residents.

“This is not what we voted for. Instead of solving our issues, this illegal ramp will spell more trouble for our houses, where even the sewerage water becomes an issue during rain,” said Parkash Kumar, a Police Lines resident. “I think they want to rent out this palace and that’s why trying to spend government funds on it,” he claimed.

Patiala Deputy Commissioner Dr Preeti Yadav said she had already sought a report and the work on the ramp had been stopped. “We will not let anyone stop the natural spread of water and create panic among residents. I will personally inspect the spot and get the ramp demolished,” she said.