The Hindu 29.05.2013
VMC to desilt drains soon
Mounting dues to contractors became a stumbling block for the Vijayawada Municipal Corporation (VMC) to take up desilting of drains, an annual affair. The contractors have shied away from taking up the desilting works as the Corporation has not cleared their bills for last two years. The Corporation has to pay nearly Rs. 77 lakh to them.
The VMC, this year, has estimated that the desilting of drains would cost Rs. 40 lakh and invited tenders. The contractors, who have the machinery and equipment for desilt works, have not responded to the tenders. Instead, they demanded that the Corporation provide working capital if the works were to be taken. The officials promised that the VMC would clear a partial amount of the pending bills, and convinced them to file their tenders. The VMC will shortly clear about Rs. 20 lakh dues to them, sources say.
The tenders have been finalised, and work orders were issued. The desilting works are scheduled to be completed before June 15. As many as 10 major drains, including Guntatippa, Nuzvid Road drain, Nizam gate and outfall drains near Kabela, would be desilted, officials say.
