Panchayat nod to remove temple to make way for railway underpass in Panipat

The Shiva Temple, which is coming in the way of the construction of one side of the railway underpass on the Panipat-Rohtak line, has been “removed" by people after taking a decision during a panchayat held on Sunday evening.

The underpass work was stuck for the past 27 months, due to which people faced inconvenience daily. The project had to be completed in December 2022. One side of the underpass has been completed.

As per information, the Railways allotted the tender for the construction of the underpass in April 2022 at a cost of Rs 4 crore.

More than two lakh residents of over 20 colonies of ward Nos. 16, 17 and 18 were forced to face problems to go to their destinations.

The matter was discussed at the District Grievances and Redressal Committee meeting and Cabinet minister Krishan Bedi directed that the issue be resolved amicably.

A panchayat was held at Bala Ji Park on Sunday, in which hundreds of residents of several colonies participated. Councillors and several prominent people from Azaad Nagar, Raj Nagar, Vikas Nagar, Shiv Nagar, Krishan Pura and Sanjay Colony participated.

Husband of a councillor claimed that hundreds of people unanimously decided to remove the temple, situated on the main road of the underpass. Hundreds of people shifted the Shiva statue to the Radha Krishan Temple at Raj Nagar temporarily, in the presence of priests on Ram Navami.

Pradeep Kumar, a resident of Azaad Nagar, said people encountered problems in commuting, especially when they had to go to the crematorium ground for the last rites of family members or acquaintances.

Sandeep Kalyan, Senior Section Engineer (Works), Northern Railways, said a re-tender for the remaining work had been sent to the headquarters for approval, after which the tender would be invited.

Haryana Tribune