Hisar MLA’s focus on building replicas raises eyebrows

Tribune News Service

Hisar, August 19

Residents of Hisar are upset with the administration over its “misplaced” priorities regarding development of the town. While many localities do not have a proper sewer network or rainwater drainage, Haryana Health Minister and local MLA Kamal Gupta recently inaugurated replicas, including those of monuments and famous buildings. These were reportedly constructed by spending huge funds.

Councillors, locals and opposition leaders have questioned the rationale behind splurging funds on constructing such models. Some of them alleged that it indicated “wrong priorities” of the Haryana Government, which should instead focus on development works in the town.

The replicas have been constructed in various parts of the town. These include a model of the Red Fort at Tulsi Chowk, Arjuna Rath at Sirsa Chungi, shankh (conch shell) in Sector 16-17 and Ashok Stambh in Sector 13.

Three such projects were constructed at a cost of Rs 66 lakh. These were inaugurated on July 13. Gupta has also announced construction of models of the India Gate at the entry of Sector 9-11, the new Parliament building at the Old Railway Bridge, Chandrayaan near Laxmi Chowk, Ram Temple near the Civil Hospital and Welcome Gate on Delhi Road.

Symbols of pride

Replicas are symbols of pride of the nation and have beautified the town...Beautification is also part of the development process. Suresh Goyal, spokesperson for the Health minister

Amit Grover, a former councillor, alleged that “misplaced” priorities of the administration were causing inconvenience to residents. “Streets in the town get inundated after rain and the drainage system is in poor shape, often resulting in backflow of sewage. A number of unfortunate incidents, including death of a woman scooter rider, have occurred due to potholes on roads,” he said, highlighting lack of amenities in the town.

Activist Ramesh Punia alleged that the BJP government and the local MLA were turning a blind eye to the issues concerning common masses, but spending on replicas that were of no use to the public. “Even parks and stadium get flooded in the absence of a proper drainage network,” he alleged.

Suresh Goyal, a spokesperson for the Health Minister, said the replicas were symbols of pride of the nation and beautified the town. “Beautification is also part of the development process. The sewer and drainage system too have improved, but inundation occurs only when it rains heavily,” he said.