Poor planning holds up work as poles block way

LUDHIANA: It took six long years for the municipal corporation authorities starting the work of covering the Ganda Nullah, but they did not pay attention towards the electricity poles coming in the path of the construction work all this time. After beginning the work on one stretch, they have now realised the need to remove the electricity poles coming in the way, for which they have started a survey fir removing the poles, which could take another two-three months.
Starting on February 11 from near civil hospital, till now work on a stretch of 400 metres only has been completed.Though work on other two sides was started simultaneously, it cannot be completed unless the electricity poles are shifted. MC officers claim they have already paid Rs 10 lakh for shifting of electricity poles from bridge of Amarpura towards Shagun Palace, while for the stretch from Gurdwara Dukhniwaran to civil hospital, estimates are being prepared, sources said. Officers of MC and power department would conduct a survey on this route on Monday whereafter final estimates would be prepared. According to rough estimates, around 300 electricity poles will have to be shifted.
Sub-divisional officer of bridges and road department, RP Gupta, said, ''Work on 400-metre stretch is on. For the other two portions, we need to consult power department for replacing the electricity poles.'' He further said they would be able to increase the speed of work after rainy season.