Wai residents seek probe into unfinished lift work at civic school building
Citizens allege the lift base work and PCC were never done at Wai Nagar Parishad School No. 1, built at a cost of crores, and demand an independent inquiry.
The building of Wai Nagar Parishad School No. 1 was put up at a cost of crores of rupees. It was completed three to four years ago. Yet the present state of its basic facilities raises serious questions about the functioning of the civic body. At the inauguration, there was much fanfare over a building with all amenities. In practice, it is alleged that there are serious shortcomings in the work on an important facility such as the lift.
A lift has been installed in the building, but the construction work and PCC work required below the lift have not been done, it has been noticed. Citizens are angrily asking whether this facility, installed at a cost of lakhs of rupees, has remained only in name. On one hand, crores are spent on the safety and convenience of students. On the other, necessary work in the same building is left incomplete or done shoddily. People are now asking whose interests the civic administration is looking after, the students' or the contractors'.
Many years have passed since the building was completed. Citizens say they should get an answer as to why the administration concerned has not taken firm steps to remove the shortcomings in the work. They also expect a thorough check on whether the contractor actually completed the work or showed it as complete only on paper.
Space has been kept in the school grounds for a garden. But citizens complain that the expected flowering plants, greenery or beautification have not been done there to date. They say there should also be an accounting of where the provision made for giving students a clean, pleasant and happy learning environment was actually used. Parents and citizens are asking where the facilities are, when the building has come up.
Questions are also being asked about why the present councillors representing the area have not paid attention to this serious matter so far. Students use the building every day. Citizens ask whether it is not the responsibility of elected representatives to inspect a half-finished facility like the lift and hold the administration to account.
The demand for an independent and impartial inquiry into the entire construction, at the technical, administrative and financial levels, is now gaining strength. Citizens say the estimate, the approved plan, the work actually done, the materials used, the measurement books, the bills and the quality of the work should all be examined.
Citizens demand that the inquiry be held setting aside any political interests, and that if faults are found, action be taken as per rules against the contractor, the officials responsible and all concerned. Citizens also say that a school building raised with crores of rupees is meant for students' future, not for the convenience of a contractor or to show development on paper. Parents, citizens and those in the education sector are now watching what stand the Wai Nagar Parishad administration takes in the matter.
