‘Not in use’ rly buildings turn haven for drug addicts in city

Sameer Singh

Tribune News Service

Bathinda, December 8

Unused buildings have become a safe haven for drug addicts and anti-social elements in the trans-railway line residential area. As a result, residents of the area have expressed concern over their safety.

Notably, the local railway authorities had identified 50 dilapidated buildings that were ‘not in use’ for demolition in the trans-railway line area last year. Nearly a year has passed, these buildings still stand intact and are being used by drug addicts.

Railway employees and local residents said they requested the railway authorities to either demolish these buildings or make adequate security arrangements area but no action was taken in the matter. There are 30 abandoned quarters and 15 abandoned service buildings there, they informed.

Loveneesh Mittal, a local resident, said, “Drug addicts and anti-social elements have made these ‘not in use’ buildings their home and commuters on roads passing through the area do not feel safe. The dilapidated condition of the buildings is not the only problem in the trans-railway line residential area. Public parks also have turned into a garbage dumping ground while the streetlights are defunct, causing problems.”

Some of the residents said whenever they approached the authorities with a complaint, they were advised not to take the route through the trans-railway line area. The anti-social elements standing near these buildings can be seen making lewd remarks at commuters, especially women, late in the evening.

A railway official, requesting anonymity, said the railway authorities had issued a tender to demolish the buildings, but no contractor had shown interest in undertaking the task.