Illegal construction at Sangrur Civil Hospital sparks outcry; complaint filed against PWD Engineer
Babushahi Bureau
Sangrur (Punjab), June 9, 2025: A complaint has been filed with Punjab Chief Secretary K.A.P. Sinha against unauthorized construction activities at the Civil Hospital campus in Sangrur, allegedly being carried out under the supervision of Ajay Garg, Executive Engineer (PWD Provincial).
The complaint, submitted by concerned citizen Jasinder Sekhon, alleges blatant violations of municipal laws and judicial directions, calling for urgent administrative intervention.
According to the detailed letter, dated June 9, large-scale excavation and construction work is ongoing at the hospital site, despite the absence of an approved building plan from the Municipal Council, Sangrur.
The complainant claims that the use of heavy machinery, as well as the mobilisation of construction materials such as pre-bent TMT steel bars, indicates that the work has gone far beyond preliminary surveys.
Sekhon alleges that the construction is not only unauthorized but also taking place on land covered under a pending High Court writ petition (CWP-18565 of 2021), which includes a stay on tree-felling.
The complaint highlights the illegal cutting of 17 mature trees at the site—an act that may amount to contempt of court. A Civil Miscellaneous Application has already been filed in the High Court in this regard.
Three photographs attached to the complaint reportedly show:
- A JCB excavator conducting deep digging work, with construction workers on-site but no safety gear or sanitation precautions.
- Piles of rubble, debris, and plastic waste, creating a hazardous and unhygienic environment in a public health facility.
- A large stockpile of reinforcement steel, suggesting that full-scale construction is already underway.
Sekhon further asserts that he personally contacted Mr. Ajay Garg two days ago, requesting a halt to the illegal work. However, the engineer allegedly refused to stop the activity. The complaint also recalls a past incident involving Mr. Garg when he faced proceedings for illegal tree cutting during his tenure as SDO, PWD, in Patiala Gate, Sangrur.
The letter seeks three immediate actions:
- An immediate halt to all excavation and construction at the site.
- Disciplinary action against Mr. Ajay Garg for repeated, wilful misconduct.
- A joint inspection by the PWD and Municipal Council to document the violations and file a compliance report with the High Court.
“This conduct is not just a violation of municipal norms, but a direct affront to the authority of the High Court,” Sekhon wrote, adding that the incident, taking place in Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann’s home district, requires exemplary action.
The letter has also been marked to several top officials, including the Additional Chief Secretary of Local Government, Principal Secretary of PWD, Director of Local Government, Deputy Commissioner of Sangrur, SDM Sangrur, and the Executive Officer of the Municipal Council, Sangrur.
No official statement has been issued yet by the Chief Secretary's office or the PWD. However, the issue is likely to trigger strong legal and administrative scrutiny in the days to come.