₹2.71 Crore Hostel Turns Unsafe Within Months, Assembly Panel Demands Accountability
A hostel built with the aim of supporting students at Theog College has now become the focus of serious concern after developing major structural defects within months of its completion. The Local Fund Audit Committee of the Himachal Pradesh Legislative Assembly has raised tough questions about the project’s construction quality, oversight, and use of public funds.
Constructed under the Babu Jagjivan Ram Hostel Scheme at a cost of nearly ₹2.71 crore, the hostel was completed and handed over to the college in November 2018. However, by April 2019, alarming cracks had begun appearing in the structure, and reports indicated that the building was gradually tilting.
Subsequent technical inspections, including an assessment by IIT Mandi, revealed serious safety concerns. Key structural elements such as columns, beams, and slabs were found to be unsafe, leading authorities to declare the building unfit for use.
During a recent review meeting chaired by MLA Sanjay Rattan, the Assembly committee sought explanations from officials involved in the project. Members emphasized that responsibility cannot be avoided by citing collective decision-making and stressed the need to identify those accountable for the failure.
The committee has recommended strict action against the contractor, including forfeiture of approximately ₹22 lakh in pending payments and security deposits. It has also proposed blacklisting the contractor from government projects for the next two years.
Rather than attempting further repairs, HIMUDA has been directed to construct a completely new hostel capable of accommodating 104 students. A suitable site is to be identified within a month, followed by a geotechnical survey. The new facility is expected to be completed by September 2027.
The panel has also ordered an investigation into nearly ₹5 crore spent on retrofitting and related works. It has asked authorities to determine responsibility among both serving and retired officials and recover any losses in accordance with established rules.
Housing Minister Rajesh Dharmani stated that the government is reviewing the committee’s recommendations and assured that appropriate action will be taken to fix accountability.
The incident has prompted broader concerns about the quality of government-funded construction projects. To prevent similar situations in the future, the committee has recommended making geotechnical surveys, slope-stability tests, independent design checks, and third-party inspections mandatory for all HIMUDA projects.
For many, the Theog hostel case serves as a reminder of the importance of strict monitoring and accountability in public infrastructure projects, especially when taxpayer money is involved and students’ safety is at stake.
