Rohtak: Reconstruction of condemned Kalanaur school buildings yet to begin

Sunit Dhawan

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Tribune News Service

Rohtak, September 30

A beautiful entrance gate greets visitors at Government Senior Secondary School in Kalanaur town of Rohtak district. But the impression vanishes as soon as one enters the school premises and sees a dilapidated building, filth scattered on the compound and pigs loitering around.

The buildings of seven government schools located at Bhaisru Khurd, Bainsi, Kalanaur, Polangi, Bahu Akbarpur, Karontha and Kharawar in the district have been declared condemned (unfit for use) by the Buildings and Roads wing of the Public Works Department (PWD), while the heads of several other schools have been writing to the authorities concerned to get their buildings reconstructed.

“The building of the school I head is in a shambles. I have been writing to the department authorities for its repair/reconstruction, but no action has been taken as yet,” conceded the head of a government school, requesting anonymity.

As per an official letter, the administrative approval was granted for the construction of new buildings on January 21, 2019 and a grant of Rs 1.97 crore given for the purpose.

However, more than 32 months after the grant of the requisite approval and funds, the construction is yet to begin as the matter is stuck in official files.

Several social activists and voluntary organisations have been urging the authorities concerned to get the dilapidated buildings of government schools reconstructed, but the construction is yet to take off owing to procedural delays.

Contacted for comments, Rohtak District Education Officer Vijay Laxmi maintained that students of the schools having condemned buildings had been accommodated in nearby schools and the process to get the condemned buildings demolished and new ones constructed was in progress.

“There is no delay on our part. However, the prescribed official procedures have to be followed,” she stated.

Rohtak Additional Deputy Commissioner Mahender Pal pointed out that the prevalence of Covid-19 pandemic had delayed the progress of several projects during the past couple of years.

“As of now, things are under control and all pending projects, including the construction of school buildings, are being expedited and will be completed soon,” he asserted.