The Times of India               19.10.2010

MC reviews decision on legal notice

CHANDIGARH: In a turn of events following a decision to send a legal notice to a Delhi-based private company in connection with construction of a multi-level parking lot near the Sector 17 circus ground, the civic body has decided to again request the company to construct a parking lot. Sources revealed that during the process of mulling a legal notice, it had come to the fore that not only the company but also the civic body was responsible for the delay.

Sources in the civic body revealed that following scrutiny by legal wing of the civic body, it was clear that MC took a long time to hand over the said site to the company for the construction. Thus, under clauses of the memorandum of understanding (MOU), the civic body was also responsible for the situation.

Sources further maintained UT administration had to shift underground wires from the site, but it took long to do the same. Thus, there was delay in passing on the site to the company.

S S Bida, chief engineer with the civic body, talking to TOI, said, "Instead of sending a legal notice to the company, we have now decided to request it to start the work soon."

It may be recalled that in a blow to the municipal corporation, a Delhi- based company that was to construct the much awaited parking lot in Sector 17, near circus ground, had reportedly pulled out of the project.

Sources in municipal corporation said the company had initially told the civic body to extend the contract period from seven to 12 years. However, the firm is said to have told officials of the engineering wing that it was not interested in the project.