MP Selja warns officials over delay in development works

Congress MP Kumari Selja pulled up district officials for negligence and delay in development works during the District Development Coordination and Monitoring Committee (DISHA) meeting held at the Panchayat Bhawan on Barnala Road, Sirsa, on Tuesday.

Selja expressed displeasure over the late circulation of the meeting agenda and action taken reports (ATR), directing Deputy Commissioner Shantanu Sharma to ensure that all materials were shared at least a week in advance. “Meetings depend on the agenda and ATR. Such lapses should not be repeated,” she said.

The meeting was attended by Dabwali MLA Aditya Devi Lal Chautala, SP Deepak Saharan, Congress district president Santosh Beniwal and senior officials from various departments.

Reviewing ongoing projects, Selja questioned Railway Department officials about delays in constructing one railway overbridge (ROB) and two underbridges (RUBs) in Sirsa, despite tenders being issued a year ago. She also sought updates on the Kanganpur Gate and Bajekan village underpasses and criticised repeated extensions for the Amrit Bharat Yojana foot overbridge project. “It seems the department isn’t serious about completing the work,” she remarked. Officials assured her that construction had begun and technical issues were being resolved.

Selja also raised concerns about poor drinking water facilities, non-functional coach indicators and pending infrastructure work at the Sirsa railway station. Reviewing National Highway projects, she instructed the administration to engage locals opposing the Ding bridge and directed that large signboards, streetlights and CCTV cameras be installed along NH-9.

Expressing concern over contaminated drinking water, Selja said poor coordination among the Irrigation, Public Health Engineering, and Municipal Council departments was worsening Sirsa’s water quality. She demanded immediate chlorination and cleaning of the Sirsa major canal and nearby water tanks.

Addressing the plight of 750 displaced families relocated to Sector-19 flats, Selja displayed photographs of unhygienic condition and instructed officials to provide clean water and basic facilities until permanent housing was arranged. She also criticised poor road restoration under the Amrut Yojana after drainage work, citing accidents due to unrepaired roads and ordered strict action against contractors using substandard materials.

Dabwali MLA Chautala proposed developing vacant land near Dabwali railway station as a public park, a suggestion Selja supported.

Separately, responding to a water shortage in rural areas, Selja distributed 20 water tankers from her MP fund to villages across Sirsa, Rania, Ellenabad, Kalanwali, and Dabwali. At the distribution event held at Shaheed Bhagat Singh Stadium, Selja assured the villagers that their grievances would be addressed promptly.