Several significant development projects across vital sectors in Nurpur, Himachal Pradesh, have been languishing for years, failing to reach completion and prompting concerns over administrative oversight and the responsible utilization of public funds. These projects, spanning irrigation, education, healthcare, and civic amenities, were initiated with foundation stones laid as far back as nearly two decades ago, yet many remain unfinished or have not achieved their intended operational status.
Information was available with The Chenab Times indicating that seven key development works in the Nurpur constituency are currently awaiting finalization. These delays have led to increased costs and significant public inconvenience, with residents urging the state government to expedite their completion and operationalization.
The Nurpur sewerage project, a critical component of urban sanitation, exemplifies the prolonged delays. Its foundation stone was laid in April 2007 by the then Chief Minister Virbhadra Singh, accompanied by local legislator Sat Mahajan. The project, initially budgeted at Rs 15.83 crore, has seen its cost escalate considerably due to the protracted timeline and rising material and labor expenses. The responsible department, formerly Irrigation and Public Health and now the Jal Shakti Department, has managed to complete the work in only three of the nine Municipal Council wards over the past 19 years.
Another large-scale initiative, the Phina Singh Irrigation Project, intended to boost agricultural productivity in the lower hills of Kangra district, is also mired in delays. The foundation stone was laid on March 3, 2012, with an initial estimated cost of Rs 205 crore. This figure has since ballooned to approximately Rs 644 crore. More than 14 years after its inception, the project remains incomplete, despite its importance for ushering in a potential Green Revolution in the region.
The development of a new campus for the Government Degree College in Nurpur has also faced significant setbacks. The foundation stone for the college building was laid on January 12, 2017, with an estimated construction cost of Rs 20.33 crore. Despite the passage of several years, the construction of the premises is still underway, leaving students without access to the promised improved educational facilities.
In the healthcare sector, the 50-bed Mother and Child Hospital, constructed adjacent to the existing Civil Hospital in Nurpur, has been ready for inauguration but remains non-functional. Built at an approximate cost of Rs 13 crore, the hospital was inaugurated on October 8, 2022. However, the lack of essential medical equipment, a shortage of specialist doctors, and an insufficient number of paramedical staff have prevented its services from being delivered to the public, even after more than four years since its inauguration.
The Atal indoor stadium in Nurpur, a facility for sports and recreation, was built at a cost of Rs 5.99 crore and inaugurated by the then Chief Minister Jai Ram Thakur on June 2, 2022. However, the state’s Department of Sports and Youth Affairs has yet to formally take over the stadium for its operational management. Adding to the concerns, the construction of a synthetic track adjacent to the stadium is also incomplete, with work stalled and no immediate resumption in sight.
Furthermore, a shopping-cum-parking complex located at Chogan along the strategic Pathankot-Mandi National Highway has also been on hold. The project’s progress has been impeded by funding constraints and ongoing issues related to payments, leaving this vital piece of urban infrastructure incomplete.
The extended delays and lack of operationalization of these key projects have led to widespread frustration among the local populace. Residents have collectively appealed to the Chief Minister of Himachal Pradesh to personally monitor the status of all incomplete projects in the Nurpur area. They have urged the administration to issue directives for the swift completion of ongoing works and to ensure that inaugurated facilities become functional at the earliest, allowing the local community to benefit from these public investments.
The Chenab Times News Desk