The Times of India 02.08.2012
Chennai Coporation awaits funds for phase 2 of mega city project
CHENNAI: The Chennai Coporation,
which is inching forward with the first phase of road-laying as part of
the mega city development mission, is keeping its fingers crossed on
the second phase of the project. Corporation officials say unless they
get the funds within a couple of months, the second phase works cannot
be completed before the monsoon next year.
In March, the state government had announced 500 crore for the second phase of the project, scheduled to be taken in the current financial year. Five months later, corporation is awaiting a government order sanctioning the funds. The funds given by the municipal administration and water supply department will be shared by Chennai Corporation and Metrowater, which function as the nodal agencies for implementing the project.
"Any large project will require a few tenders to be floated more than once. Each re-tender will take a month, so if we could finalise the contractors before December, it would be ideal," said a senior corporation official. "Since we are following the grid road system, we need to identify a road and then plan storm water drains, ducts, streetlights and pavements. Just the studies will take a whole one month."
Unless work begins in January, it will not be completed by June-end, say officials. Any contractor requires six months to complete a package worth 10 crore. The civic body is now racing against time to complete parts of the first phase of the mega city development project before the rains begin.
"Out of 360 roads, we intend to finish around 60 roads before September end, and finish at least other important parts like ducting and storm water drains of the remaining roads," said another corporation official. The funds for phase one was sanctioned in April, but the final lot of tenders are being issued even now.
Chennai Corporation is likely to receive a larger share of the funds this year, sources said. "Metrowater has told the state government that it does not require so much funding, so the civic body has a chance of receiving anywhere between 375 and 400 crore," said a source in the corporation.
In March, the state government had announced 500 crore for the second phase of the project, scheduled to be taken in the current financial year. Five months later, corporation is awaiting a government order sanctioning the funds. The funds given by the municipal administration and water supply department will be shared by Chennai Corporation and Metrowater, which function as the nodal agencies for implementing the project.
"Any large project will require a few tenders to be floated more than once. Each re-tender will take a month, so if we could finalise the contractors before December, it would be ideal," said a senior corporation official. "Since we are following the grid road system, we need to identify a road and then plan storm water drains, ducts, streetlights and pavements. Just the studies will take a whole one month."
Unless work begins in January, it will not be completed by June-end, say officials. Any contractor requires six months to complete a package worth 10 crore. The civic body is now racing against time to complete parts of the first phase of the mega city development project before the rains begin.
"Out of 360 roads, we intend to finish around 60 roads before September end, and finish at least other important parts like ducting and storm water drains of the remaining roads," said another corporation official. The funds for phase one was sanctioned in April, but the final lot of tenders are being issued even now.
Chennai Corporation is likely to receive a larger share of the funds this year, sources said. "Metrowater has told the state government that it does not require so much funding, so the civic body has a chance of receiving anywhere between 375 and 400 crore," said a source in the corporation.
