Corruption, red tape ruin Basera project in Rajpura

The Basera project, once heralded as an ambitious initiative of the state government to provide shelter to 750 families devastated by Partition, now stands as a stark reminder of blatant corruption and red tape.

The site has become a haven for drug addicts and anti-social elements.

Avtar Singh, Executive Officer of the Rajpura Municipal Council, said of 42 towers, 34 were constructed and structural safety audit of seven was carried out by a team from Ludhiana’s Guru Nanak Dev Engineering College (GNDEC). Its report is awaited.

The passage leading to the colony is in bad shape and there are no streetlights in the area. Recently, Rajpura SDM Avikesh Gupta sought a status report of the project.

Soon after forming the government in 2022, CM Bhagwant Mann had ordered a Vigilance probe following allegations of corruption in the execution of the project.

Sources said a sealed report had been submitted to the government, but no action had been taken so far.

At present, 16 families are living in semi-built apartments, who constantly fear for their safety. “We are living in hellish conditions. We either have to clean the area ourselves or sometimes a local leader pities our plight and sends sweepers. In the absence of streetlights, this place turns into a den for anti-social elements,” said Chander Kanta (69), one of the residents. She claimed she was allotted the apartment following a draw of lots. The project to rehabilitate 750 families living in the Ashram area near the courts complex began during the SAD-BJP regime in 2008.

It was initiated by the PAPSU Township Development Board and later transferred to the Rajpura MC. The initial cost of the project was estimated at Rs 21 crore, but delays escalated it. Now, the revised cost is pegged at Rs 70 core.

Narinder Shastri, president of the Rajpura MC, said the project had been embroiled in corruption since its inception. “Late CM Parkash Singh Badal had ordered a Vigilance inquiry after complaints of substandard material had come to the fore. His successor Amarinder Singh marked another probe during the Congress tenure,” said Shastri. He added that 16 families living in the towers would be allotted land somewhere else and those occupying the apartments illegally would be removed.