The Indian Express 06.06.2013
Contractor gets the axe as PMC speeds up slum rehab project
In an attempt to complete the slum rehabilitation project under JNNURM before the deadline of March 2014, PMC Wednesday replaced the contractor who expressed inability to complete the work on time.
The Centre had earmarked Rs 522.4 crore for the project, but PMC could spend only Rs 165.17 crore.
This, the civic body said, was due to issues related to land acquisition.
As part of the project, the civic body had planned to construct 6,000 flats in Hadapsar, 2,576 in Warje, 1,792 in Kondhwa, 4,480 in Lohegaon and 1,680 in Kothrud.
The project also included construction of 10,265 ottas for rehabilitation of street vendors.
"The civic body had zeroed in on Patil Construction. However, the target of 2,576 houses cannot be achieved as the civic administration has not been able to acquire land for the project. There will be shortage of 750 apartments in Warje as per the set target," said Vishal Tambe, chairperson of the standing committee.
On the other hand, there is sufficient land available in Hadapsar, but the contractor, Arch Constructions, has expressed inability to complete the project on time.
"The civic administration wanted to construct houses within the time-frame as it would otherwise mean the PMC will have to return the funds to government.
Hence, it has been decided to split the work allotted to Arch Constructions and allot it to Patil Construction as the contractor," he said.
The project has taken a hit due to the failure of the civic administration to acquire Patel land as the project could at Kondhwa, Lohegaon and Kothrud did not kick-start.
"We have time to spend the money till March 2014. Efforts will be made to complete the project on time," Tambe said, adding, the civic administration has been asked to table a report on execution of BSUP project along with the information of beneficiaries.
The standing committee has also asked the civic administration to prepare a detailed audit report of the implementation of all the projects being implemented by PMC under JNNURM. PMC had submitted a detailed report for seeking funds from the Centre.
