The Hindu 07.10.2010
GMC heaves a sigh of relief after shifting of pipeline
Staff Reporter
| R&B to complete the approach road within three months |
GMC had failed thrice to get a successful bidder for completing the work
Estimates have shot up from Rs.45 lakhs in 2008 to Rs.2 crores in 2010
Guntur: With shifting of the pipeline under the approach road of Manipuram RoB and inter connecting the new pipeline, the Engineering Department of Guntur Municipal Corporation (GMC) heaved a final sigh of relief.
A well-coordinated approach, high technical competency of the engineering firm and a positive mindset of officials ensured that the whole process got completed without major hassles.
The Roads and Buildings Department, Guntur, is now gearing up to complete the laying of approach road on the left side of Manipuram RoB. Tenders were finalised to complete the road extending to 90 metres at a cost of Rs.30 lakhs.
The shifting of pipeline and inter-connecting works have been pending for the last four years and had local contractors shying away at the last minute fearing failure.
With successive commissioners not daring to tread on a minefield and a nervous governing body fearing public backlash, the works have been put on the back burner.
The GMC had failed thrice to get a successful bidder for completing the work, whose estimates had shot up from Rs.45 lakh in 2008 to Rs.2 crore in 2010.
Finally, the GMC clubbed the contract for laying a second feeder pipeline from Guntur Channel to Thakkellapadu filtration plant and Thakkellapadu to Nehru Nagar main supply pipeline.
The GMC also came under intense pressure to complete the work as the R& B Department put the onus on the civic body to shift the pipeline in order to complete the approach road on Manipuram RoB.
But the GMC finally zeroed on Vijaya Engineering Enterprises, Hyderabad, which had a credible track record of executing water works in Hyderabad and Vijayawada.
Municipal Engineer S Upendra Singh said the firm used ductile iron pipes with cement concrete lining which have been specially designed for water supply.
Laying of the new pipeline has also ensured additional water supply from the second water pipeline.
If it was Siddharth Jain, who got the State Government financial clearance to execute the project in 2009, it was his successor K Ilambarithi who ensured the project was completed without major hassles.
And now, the second water pipeline has become a reality during the tenure of in-charge commissioner A Sarath.
