Allegations of irregularities have surfaced regarding the construction of twin commercial buildings near Rigo Bridge after boards of the Rail Land Development Authority (RLDA) were reportedly removed from the site following a complaint by Dr Ram Chawla.
According to Dr Chawla, the removal of RLDA boards suggests that the land may have been leased to a private firm for construction. He alleged that the boards were earlier displayed to give the impression that the project was being executed by the Rail Land Development Authority.
Concerns Over Safety and Transparency
The twin buildings under construction are located adjacent to Rigo Bridge in Amritsar. It is being alleged that the structure appears to share a boundary wall with the railway bridge, raising concerns about structural safety for both the bridge and the new buildings.
Dr Chawla has demanded an independent technical inspection to assess whether the construction complies with safety norms.
Alleged Commercial Lease at Prime Location
Sources claim that the prime commercial land on GT Road, reportedly valued at nearly ₹3 lakh per square yard, has been leased for 45 years at what is described as a nominal amount. Dr Chawla termed the matter serious and has filed a written complaint with Railway Vigilance and the Central Government seeking a detailed investigation.
He urged authorities to take strict action against anyone found guilty, whether a railway official or government representative. He also called for the immediate halt of the construction work and demanded that the long-pending Rigo Bridge project be completed at the earliest in public interest.
Dr Chawla further alleged that the rapid pace of construction of the commercial buildings compared to the delayed bridge project raises questions about priorities and transparency in the execution of public infrastructure works.
