Palampur parking project stuck for 14 years, only one slab completed

A three-storey parking project in Palampur, sanctioned 14 years ago, remains incomplete, with only a single concrete slab laid so far. Despite two foundation stone ceremonies—first in 2011 by the then Urban Development Minister Mohinder Singh and again in 2017 by former Chief Minister Virbhadra Singh—the project has made negligible progress.

Initially, the Palampur Municipal Corporation (then a council) awarded the construction contract worth Rs 38.29 lakh to a local contractor. Later, the project design was changed, and a fresh foundation stone was laid in 2017. However, instead of progressing, the project has faced continuous delays, with the Municipal Corporation spending over Rs 1.20 crore—more than triple the original cost—without any significant development beyond the first slab.

Sources reveal the contractor abandoned the project midway due to unresolved disputes with the Municipal Corporation. Despite repeated efforts by Municipal Commissioner Ashish Sharma to mediate, technical hurdles prevented any resolution. In previous reports by The Tribune, MC officials had claimed the parking lot would be operational within a year—an assurance that has proven hollow.

Contractor Ashwani Chhibar claims that the MC failed to provide possession of the site in 2017 after changing the design, which led to delays. He further states that his bills worth over Rs 40 lakh remain unpaid by the MC, despite being based on rates previously approved by the Corporation.

A senior MC official admitted that the project has been in limbo since 2011. Fresh tenders were floated last year to complete the remaining two storeys. However, the same contractor was reawarded the project, only for him to refuse to resume work until his pending dues were cleared. At present, no MC officer is willing to verify or clear the old bills, fearing accountability for rates approved before 2021.

As a result, despite spending over Rs 1.5 crore, the project has neither been completed nor officially terminated. The delay has also caused an estimated revenue loss of nearly Rs 1.5 crore to the Municipal Corporation.

Surprisingly, no action has been taken to fix responsibility for the prolonged delays and financial loss. MC officials remain silent on the matter, avoiding accountability and leaving the project and public interest in jeopardy.

Himachal Tribune