Construction of railway quarters on playground opposed in Lakhimpur

Construction of railway quarters on playground opposed in Lakhimpur

LAKHIMPUR, Sept 23: At a time when the Chief Minister is reiterating his promise to establish sporting infrastructure in the State, an initiative of North Frontier Railway Department to construct four buildings of railway quarters by destroying a playground has raised the eyebrows of conscious people in Lakhimpur district.

The people living in the North Lakhimpur station area have urged the department not to construct the quarters on the playground, thereby depriving the children of the railway employees and other local youths from a sports environment. Regarding the issue, they submitted a memorandum to the Divisional Manager of the Rangia Railway Division but the authority concerned has allegedly paid no attention to their demand.

The Railway Department recently sanctioned a fund of Rs. 1.70 crore to construct quarters for 16 families of railway employees working at the North Lakhimpur station. A different venue was selected for the construction of these quarter buildings at first. But the contractor concerned, fully supported by the Assistant Divisional Engineer, on September 10 started the construction work at the playground located near the station Shiv Mandir instead of the pre-selected venue. The aggrieved people opposed the activities of the officer concerned that day which led to a tense situation.

This playground has been being used for sporting purpose since 1964, said local people. Under such circumstances, they cannot approve of the activities of the Assistant Divisional Engineer. It is alleged that he has done so for his materialistic benefits. Opposing his act strongly, the people of the area demanded the department concerned to construct the buildings either on the railway land lying waste near the officers’ colony and running room or on other land which are under encroachment.

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