Solan infra guardians trapped in ruins

The Public Works Department (PWD), ironically responsible for ensuring infrastructure for all departments, finds itself grappling with a crisis of its own. The office of the Superintending Engineer (SE) in Solan continues to operate from a dangerously dilapidated, century-old building on Hospital Road, declared unsafe in a recent municipal survey.

For decades, staff have been working out of this crumbling two-storey structure that bears gaping cracks and open crevices, a grim testament to government neglect. Despite its fragile condition, only superficial repairs and plasterwork have been carried out, even as the structure teeters on the edge of collapse, especially during the monsoon season.

The vulnerability of this building was further underlined when over 60 houses were damaged during the torrential rains of 2023. The structure now features prominently among the 10 most unsafe buildings in Solan, as identified by the Municipal Corporation.

Recognising the urgency, the Chief Minister laid the foundation stone for a new five-storey building in Kothon village near Solan in March 2024. Envisioned at a cost of Rs 6.16 crore, the facility was planned to include office space, staff quarters, testing labs and a canteen. Staff were hopeful, finally seeing a future outside the hazardous conditions they currently endure.

However, progress has been painfully slow. Although the contract was awarded in April 2024 with a completion target of October this year, only Rs 1.15 crore has been released so far. Construction has stalled at the foundation and pillar stage. The chronic fund shortage has left the project in limbo.

As a result, staff continue to report to the precarious old office. The Superintending Engineer himself has shifted to a smaller, relatively stable room due to the worsening condition of his original office space. “Each rainy day increases our fear,” said one official, highlighting how unsafe the work environment has become.

The situation lays bare the government’s indifference—not only toward the safety of its employees but also the credibility of a department tasked with modernising infrastructure for others. With funding delays dragging on, what was meant to be a symbol of progress now stands as yet another example of bureaucratic neglect.

Himachal Tribune