Stalled road, office projects put brake on Sirsa’s development

Development work in Sirsa district has been moving at a very slow pace, leaving residents frustrated and disappointed. While the state government and officials frequently promise faster development, the ground reality tells a different story. Several important projects remain incomplete due to delays and inaction from local authorities.

Broken windows, debris

at BDPO office

In Nathusari Chopta, the renovation of the Block Development and Panchayat Officer’s office (BDPO office) has been pending for over a year and a half. Despite Rs 64 lakh being sanctioned for the work, the building remains in poor condition.

Though the roof has been constructed, the walls have cracks and broken windows and doors have been left unattended.

Debris can be spotted scattered around the office.

As a result, office operations have been shifted to other buildings such as the Rajiv Gandhi Seva Kendra and the MGNREGA building, affecting the daily work of around 25 staff members.

The renovation work officially began on November 1, 2023, but the contractor halted the work midway, and it never resumed.

BDPO Sarthak Srivastava said the issue had been reported to senior officials. He mentioned plans to seek help from panchayat committees to make rooms usable, for which they were awaiting clearance from the department concerned.

Incomplete divider

a safety hazard

Meanwhile, in the town of Rania, the construction of a road divider on the Jiwan Nagar-Sirsa road has been halted for the past month. The project, which started after a two-year wait, stopped soon after the metal grills were installed. This incomplete divider has become a major safety concern for commuters. Locals say stones and exposed electric wires near the divider pose serious risks. They also raised concerns about the divider’s height, which makes it difficult to see vehicles coming from the opposite side, increasing the risk of accidents. Many have complained to municipal authorities, demanding the immediate resumption of the project.

Vikramjeet, Secretary, Rania Municipal Committee, said the divider construction was scheduled to be completed by the first week of July. The recent rains had caused the delays, he said, adding that the scattered stones had been removed to prevent accidents. He also mentioned plans to plant trees along the divider to beautify the town.

Municipal Committee Chairman Manoj Sachdeva said the construction work had been paused as the labourers employed for the project had taken up work at seasonal markets. He said the work would restart soon and be completed before July 7. He also confirmed that the open electric wires would be properly arranged within the divider for safety.