Five years on, community centre awaits completion

Satinder Pal Singh

Zirakpur, August 13

The construction of the community centre adjoining Wellington Estate, Dhakoli, has been lying incomplete for the past five years. Lack of additional funds is said to be reason behind the delay in its construction.

According to sources, local MLA NK Sharma laid the foundation stone of the community centre in 2013.

It is learnt that at that time, a resolution was passed by Municipal Council officials regarding the construction of the centre — comprising two rooms, separate toilets for men and women, kitchen and jogging track.

At present, only a boundary wall, a locked gate and a shed welcome the visitors at the allotted site of the centre.

The construction work started during the SAD-BJP government in 2013, but it could not be completed till date, said Kulbhushan Sharma, president, Unified Residents Welfare Association (URWA).

“We have met MC officials and given applications in this regard. We have raised the issue during House meetings on a number of occasions, but to no avail,” he added.

“If we get the community centre, around 200 residents will be able to organise their functions at a nominal price. Now, we have to hire private halls and marriage palaces, which charge a hefty amount,” he said.

The community centre is a long-pending demand of residents of societies here and its completion will help them organise a number of sports events, besides other fuctions.

“There are hundreds of flats in our vicinity. But there is no place where residents can gather for a meeting or celebrations. It is not possible for them to have a get-together or even sit and chat,” said Himanshu, president of the Wellington Estate, a housing society.

“The community centre can work as a multipurpose centre where we have space to chat and also organise various events for the overall development of society,” he added.

On being asked about the delay in the construction, Manvir Singh Gill, Executive Officer, Municipal Council of Zirakpur, said, “I am unaware of the matter. I will check the records and after that, I will be able to comment on it.”

When contacted, Kulwinder Sohi, president of the Municipal Council, Zirakpur, said, “The community centre could not be completed to due lack of funds. I have already taken up the issue during MC meetings. I hope that its work will start soon.”