Rain shelter on the verge of collapse

Ravinder Sood

Palampur, February 20

A rain shelter at Panjala village near Baijnath, 30 km from here, is on the verge of collapse and needs immediate attention of the authorities concerned. The condition of the rain shelter is in a shambles for the past one year but HP Public Works Department is yet to act.

As per the information, the shelter was damaged two years ago in the rainy season, but the “fund-starved” PWD is yet to reconstruct it.

While one pillar of the shelter has collapsed, the PWD has used empty bitumen drums as a support to the roof. Villagers said the matter had been brought to notice of the PWD and senior officers at Baijnath time and again. Local panchayat pradhan also met the PWD Assistant Engineer and other officers in this regard, but to no avail.

They said the shelter posed a threat as the support of empty bitumen drums can give way any moment. The villagers added that a few months ago the PWD field staff had visited the spot and started the repair work, but they left it midway.

A senior PWD officer, when contacted, told The Tribune that the matter was already in his knowledge and the funds were being arranged for the repair of the rain shelter.

When the matter was brought to the notice of Baijnath MLA Kishori Lal, he said a new rain shelter would be constructed within a month. He regretted the inconvenience caused to the public.