Controversy erupts over school bridge construction

The construction of a recently built overhead bridge at the Government Girls Senior Secondary School in Abadpura has sparked controversy after a Right to Information (RTI) request raised concerns over its legal and regulatory compliance. The bridge was reportedly constructed for student safety but is now at the centre of a dispute over transparency and legal approvals.

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The controversy began when Advocate GL Bhardwaj filed an RTI application seeking official documents, including sanctioned plans, safety clearances, and construction records for the bridge. The request was initially directed to the Director General of School Education, and was later transferred to the District Education Officer (Secondary Education), Jalandhar, before reaching the school principal, Sonia Dhawan.

However, instead of providing the required documents, Principal Dhawan responded with a narrative-style explanation. In her official reply, dated April 30, 2025, she referred to the demolition of toilets and storerooms as “major repairs,” conducted under the supervision of a junior engineer. She further invited the applicant to “witness the construction” instead of providing the requested documentation.

Advocate Bhardwaj criticised the response, stating that it contradicted an earlier communication dated January 23, 2025 and failed to include any approved plans or technical estimates. The RTI applicant also raised concerns about the overhead bridge constructed across Public Street No. 4, a public road in a residential area. Bhardwaj claims the bridge was built without municipal clearance or an approved plan, which local residents argue constitutes encroachment and a violation of building regulations.

When the Principal failed to respond adequately, Bhardwaj filed a First Appeal with the District Education Officer, who, according to the RTI Act, was supposed to adjudicate the appeal. However, in an unusual move, Principal Dhawan herself responded to the appeal, which legal experts describe as a violation of natural justice. “The Principal cannot act as judge in her own case,” said Advocate Deepak Sharma, former President of the Nakodar Bar Association. “This is a clear breach of the RTI Act.”

In a separate RTI filed by citizen Raghubir Singh, seeking similar construction-related documents, Principal Dhawan again failed to provide any records. Instead, she cited emotional justifications such as “dog bites” and “teasing of girls” without offering any official approvals or sanctioned maps.

A second statutory appeal has now been filed by Advocate Bhardwaj before the Punjab State Information Commission. The appeal highlights multiple violations, including improper handling of the RTI application, failure to provide certified documents, and improper adjudication of the First Appeal. The appeal also seeks disciplinary action against Principal Dhawan under Section 20 of the RTI Act.

Meanwhile, Principal Dhawan has accused the RTI applicant of harassment, stating that the construction work was carried out in accordance with regulations.

She explained that the overbridge was built following requests from parents and local residents to address safety concerns, as students previously had to cross a public street. Dhawan emphasised that the project had received necessary approvals from the education department and that the Municipal Corporation had been informed.

She further suggested that the RTIs were motivated by personal reasons rather than public interest, accusing the applicant of repeatedly filing queries despite her clarifications on the issue.