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.