Staff shortage stalls KDB’s Tirtha development projects

While the Haryana Government and the Kurukshetra Development Board (KDB) have been envisioning major initiatives to boost tourism and develop ancient Tirthas, a serious shortage of staff, particularly in the technical wing, is hampering progress.

Currently, the KDB oversees development and maintenance at 182 Tirthas spread across Kurukshetra, Karnal, Kaithal, Panipat, and Jind districts. An official associated with the board said, “For the development works and monitoring of 182 Tirthas, there is a need to increase the manpower. With limited manpower, especially in the technical wing, it is very hard to carry out development works at a good pace and ensure maintenance.”

The KDB often has to depend on departments like the PWD (B&R) and Panchayati Raj for the execution of projects. “There is a requirement of a dedicated team to prepare new projects, define the scope of work, ensure smooth development, and monitor ongoing projects,” the official said.

Due to delays caused by staff shortages, project budgets frequently lapse. In 2022, the state government had sanctioned the creation of six additional posts to reduce the Board’s dependency on other departments. Previously, only three sanctioned posts existed for junior engineers in civil, electrical, and horticulture disciplines. “Of the six additional posts, while one Executive Engineer has joined, the other posts are yet to be filled,” the official pointed out.

Upender Singhal, honorary secretary of the KDB, highlighted the importance of a stronger technical team. “The posts were to be filled on a deputation basis, of which one Executive Engineer has joined. A strengthened wing and team of engineers will help the board expedite developmental works at the Tirthas,” he said. He said the issue has been raised with the Haryana Governor and Chief Minister, and there is hope that the remaining posts will be filled soon.

Singhal also mentioned the challenge of ownership, stating, “The ownership of the majority of Tirthas is not with the KDB; the board only carries out development works. The Tirtha committees concerned are motivated to ensure monitoring and maintenance. We are also trying to bring standardisation across Tirthas so that similar designs are followed for gates, ghats, grills, boundary walls, and other structures.”

Chairman of the 48-kos Tirtha Monitoring Committee, Madan Mohan Chhabra, said, “Currently, development works are underway at nearly 100 Tirthas. For better execution, budget utilisation, and maintenance, the technical wing must be strengthened. Although one executive engineer has joined, he is yet to work full-fledged. All six posts should be filled with full-fledged officials.”

He said, “The Chief Minister is monitoring the development works closely, and a survey is also being conducted to identify and add new Tirthas to the tally.”

Haryana Tribune