CHAKWAL, May 13: A mega project involving construction of a cadet college in Choa Saidan Shah which should have been completed in 2009 remains a dream, it has been learnt.

The details obtained by Dawn tell a pathetic tale. Executive Committee of the National Economic Council approved Cadet College Choa Saidan Shah in 2006. Pervez Musharraf laid its foundation stone on July 31 the same year and 146 acres were donated by scores of local people. The college should have been built within thirty six months but even after passing six year there are grim signs of its completion.

Initially, Rs190 million were approved for it but later the federal government while revising the project sanctioned Rs381.158 million. In the first phase: an admin block, an academic block, a service block, principal’s residence, three hostels, three grounds, a hospital and a mosque were to be built.

Pakistan Public Works Department (Pak-PWD) was given the task of its construction. As Musharraf’s allies faced voters’ wrath in the general elections held in February 2008 and a democratic dispensation landed at the helm of affairs, the mega project hit snags.

The federal government led by Pakistan People’s Party stopped the construction of the college on three occasions, diverting the funds to other projects, during 2008 to 2010. Sources told Dawn the funds meant for the cadet college were diverted to another cadet college being built in Multan. However, after repeated requests and protests by the local residents and some high officials, the Gilani government allowed the construction of the college to commence again.

As the 18th Constitutional Amendment made provinces autonomous in April 2010, the project of the college was also handed over to the Punjab government which revised its funding again and sanctioned Rs450 million for it. The work started at a snail’s pace and the Pak-PWD built the skeletons of admin block, academic block, principal’s residence, hospital, mosque, service block and a hostel in 2011 but all these buildings have still to see the face of completion.

The construction work faced another hitch when its vast area and scenic location moved Punjab Chief Minister (CM) Shahbaz Sharif to convert it into the first Danish School. The decision of Punjab government invoked protests by the local residents and the CM was forced to take his orders back.

The construction of the college got yet another hurdle as the contractors who were supposed to do various works at college in 2006 are now hesitating due to price-hike.

“The contactors are not ready to do their work at the rates they were offered six years ago as those rates do not correspond with the present expenses”, an official on the request of anonymity said.

The official said that college needed Rs100 million more for its completion but the money was not being released by the Punjab government.

In 2011, the college administration gave admission to forty students in Grade-8 and thus the classes were started despite missing facilities. In 2012, fifty students have been admitted while nine teachers and a principal are also performing their duties under tough circumstances.

When contacted, Principal Prof Raja Iftikhar Ahmad confirmed the students and employees at the college were facing severe difficulties due to missing facilities. “However under limited resources we are trying our best to impart quality education,” he said.