B A T H I N D A    E D I T I O N

ROB near Indo-Pak border
Army, Rlys tug-of-war delays construction
Ferozepur, February 22
The construction of the road overbridge on twin canals before the Hussainiwala barrage near the Indo-Pakistan border which is of immense strategic significance, has been in abeyance for the last two years owing to the tug-of-war between the military and railway authorities.

Remains of the old bridge structure that collapsed during the 1971 Indo-Pakistan war. A Tribune photograph

Probe on against SGPC staff for irregularities in counting of money donated, says Makkar
Muktsar, February 22
The management of the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) is facing an awkward position due to the alleged irregularities by its employees in counting the money offered by the devotees at various gurdwaras.

Female foetus found in slum area of Fazilka
Fazilka, February 22
A female foetus was recovered from Jhinvran Mohalla, a slum area of the town today in the morning.

2 die as walls of bore well cave in
Abohar, February 22
Two daily wage earners were buried alive as a bore well caved in at village Chak 4 BKSM in the neighbouring Sriganganagar district last evening.

ROB near Indo-Pak border
Army, Rlys tug-of-war delays construction
Anirudh Gupta

Ferozepur, February 22
The construction of the road overbridge on twin canals before the Hussainiwala barrage near the Indo-Pakistan border which is of immense strategic significance, has been in abeyance for the last two years owing to the tug-of-war between the military and railway authorities.

Earlier, the work on the construction of this 115-metre long bridge was taken up by the Border Roads Organisation (BRO) under Project Chetak in August 2011 following the approval by the senior Army authorities.

Thereafter, the Border Road Task Force (BRTF) took over the site and began construction on which an estimated Rs 617 lakh was likely to be incurred.

Sources in the BRO said the bridge (Class 70R load capacity) with two spans of 60 metre and 55 metre each was to be constructed on a pile foundation for which all the necessary material and equipment had been arranged at the site.

However, owing to procedural wrangles, the work was not yet complete even two years after the project was started.

The proposed date for the completion was earlier fixed as 4 October 2012. When asked, BRO officials said in order to take up the construction, around 100 metres of land which is at present under the railways, was required

However, notwithstanding repeated requests, the railways neither issued the no-objection certificate (NOC) nor licensed the chunk of the land to the Army due to which the project has been delayed.

Defence sources said earlier, the old bridge existing at the site had been blown off during the 1971 Indo-Pakistan war to prevent the Pakistani forces from moving towards the Indian side.

Later, the military authorities constructed a temporary Bailey bridge here which remained in use for over 40 years. However, in the wake of the proposed four-laning of the stretch between Hussainiwala and Ferozepur besides the possibility of opening another trade route with Pakistan via Hussainiwala, it became imperative to construct a permanent structure with could withstand heavy traffic.

"In this era of satellite imaginary, the construction of the bridge assumes great strategic significance for the armed forces from the operational point of view," said another official, adding that it was shocking to see that such an important project was being delayed inordinately.

In the latest communiqué sent by the Railways to the BRO, the rail officials said that an old railway track exists along the site and in case the land being asked for by the Army was given for the bridge, any possibility of extending the railway track towards Pakistan in case of reopening of the border will not be feasible in the future.

"It was also not clear whether the land can be leased or given on license" said another official.

When contacted, NC Goyal, Divisional Railway Manager, said the matter has been referred to the Railway Board and any decision has to be taken up at its level. 

Probe on against SGPC staff for irregularities in counting of money donated, says Makkar
Tribune News Service

Muktsar, February 22
The management of the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) is facing an awkward position due to the alleged irregularities by its employees in counting the money offered by the devotees at various gurdwaras.

“Presently, the SGPC is conducting six inquiries against its employees who allegedly committed irregularities in counting the money offered by the devotees at gurdwaras,” said SGPC chief Avtar Singh Makkar, who was here in city to attend the annual function of Guru Nanak College for Girls and to inaugurate a sports stadium.

“No one will be spared and strict action will be taken against those found guilty in the inquiry reports,” he said.

About new initiatives being taken by the SGPC, Makkar said two IAS/PCS academies near Chandigarh would be inaugurated shortly.

He also said that dispensaries would soon be opened by the SGPC all over the state. Before leaving, he also gave Rs 25,000 to Manjeet Singh Rupana for preparing a model of Gurdwara Tutti Gandi Sahib.

Meanwhile, Makar also directed the local SGPC authorities to remove encroachments near the Gurdwara Darbar Sahib. A grant of Rs 20 lakh was also given to the college.

Female foetus found in slum area of Fazilka
Our Correspondent

Fazilka, February 22
A female foetus was recovered from Jhinvran Mohalla, a slum area of the town today in the morning.

According to eyewitnesses and police sources the sweeper noticed a polythene bag while cleaning the drain. The foetus was found in the bag.

The local residents informed the police.

SHO Surinder Singh reached the site and took the foetus in his possession.

“Prima facie, the foetus appears to be less than five months old and is that of a girl. However, it has been sent to the medical college at Faridkot and a final conclusion would be arrived at only after the post-mortem and other necessary tests,” said medical officer Dr Narinder Kumar Sethi, who examined the foetus.

The police has registered a case against under section 318 of the IPC. 

2 die as walls of bore well cave in

Abohar, February 22
Two daily wage earners were buried alive as a bore well caved in at village Chak 4 BKSM in the neighbouring Sriganganagar district last evening.

Deputy Superintendent of Police Kesari Chand Jandu said Om Parkash and Ranveer, who were in their early 40s, were engaged to remove old pipes from a bore well in the farm owned by Gulshan Middha. As they climbed down, the walls of the bore well caved in. The villagers tried to pull them out but in vain. JCB machines were later deployed and it took about three hours to bring out their bodies. The police has initiated inquest proceedings under section 174 of the CrPC. — OC