Court case, changes in design delay Rakhigarhi project

Deepender Deswal

Tribune News Service

Hisar, November 26

A court case and changes in design have delayed the museum project at the Harappan-era site in Rakhigarhi village of the district. The authorities have brought in some changes in the design of the main block of the museum, while the design of three blocks remains unchanged.

The work on the much-awaited project had hit a roadblock recently when a farmer filed a petition in court saying water was not being supplied to his fields due to the construction activities at the site. The court stayed the work on the main block, but construction went on for the three blocks.

Confirming suspension of the construction work, an official said the next date of hearing in the court was November 27. In the meantime, however, officials also ushered in certain changes in the design.

Prem Varma, the contractor who is assigned the work, said the new design had not yet reached him. “I am in a hurry to resume the work for its early completion as the cost of the construction material is escalating. I have also written to the department to give me the go-ahead for the remaining work,” he said, maintaining the work on the three blocks was in the final stages.

“Though Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar inspected the site during his visit to Rakhigarh five months ago, his visit seems to have made a little impact on the fate of the project,” said a villager.

The state government has issued a grant of Rs 24 crore for the project, of which the Public Works Department Buildings and Roads has allocated a tender of Rs 14 crore. The contractor was set to complete the work in 21 months.

The project

Blocks          Area (in sq ft)

Museum:             38,868 

Rest house:           9,870

Hostel:             8,371.7 

Cafeteria:             2,500