INLD raises questions over budget spent on Welcome Gate

The Indian National Lok Dal state spokesman has raised questions over the budget spent and the material used in the construction of a Welcome Gate in Ambala Cantonment.

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The Welcome Gate was constructed by the Municipal Council Sadar Zone at a cost of Rs 2.54 crore. The project, which started in 2019, was completed in 2022.

The Welcome Gate in Ambala Cantonment is erected on a single shaft and is of cantilever shape. The height of the Welcome Gate is about 50-ft. Claiming the budget to be unjustified and alleging use of poor quality material, the INLD has decided to seek a vigilance inquiry in the matter.

INLD spokesman and a resident of Ambala Cantonment Onkar Singh said, “A budget of over Rs 2.54 crore was spent on the construction of the Welcome Gate at the entry point of Ambala Cantonment, which was unjustified. Within three years of its inauguration, the Welcome Gate has lost its sheen and marble, grills, and other structures installed at an exorbitant price have been damaged. Even during the initial days of its construction, we had raised objections and concerns about the material being used, but no action was taken.”

“A three-storey building can be constructed on such a high budget and an expenditure of Rs 2.54 crore on a Welcome Gate raises many questions. To protect the marble from getting damaged, grills were installed around the marble, but now, both are lying damaged and no attention is being paid to the maintenance either. The party has decided to seek a vigilance inquiry in this matter so that the corrupt practices are revealed. We will meet the officials with all information gathered and will request them to conduct an inquiry,” he added.

The INLD spokesman further said that besides the Welcome Gate, inquiries must be conducted in the various other projects, including the under-construction Night Food Street along the Ambala-Saha road (a stretch of NH 444-A), and under construction Bank Square on the same stretch.