GUWAHATI, Oct 19 - The Guwahati Metropolitan Development Authority (GMDA) needs to improve and upgrade its internal infrastructure to take care of all upcoming projects, the probe panel constituted to find the causes that led to the technical snag in the ropeway 48 hours after it was inaugurated, has said in its final report. �Due to communication gaps between the departments concerned, the ropeway project suffered for about 10 years without any progress of work. Finally, the construction activities restarted in 2015-16 and was completed in August 2020 at a cost of Rs 56.80 crore,� the probe report stated. The initial cost of the ropeway was Rs 28 crore. The foundation stone of the project was laid in December, 2009 and was scheduled to be completed in May, 2011.
The machinery had reached the site in 2011 and could not be used for a long period for various technical reasons as well as lack of proper coordination. The reasons for probable sudden failure of the main DC motor could be sudden voltage fluctuations and ageing of the insulation materials of the DC motor. The motor was not used for seven years and six months after it was purchased.
The Chief Electrical Inspector has recommended installation of an automatic voltage regulator to take care of abnormal voltage fluctuations, proper test of the earth resistance of the earth electrodes and a thorough test of electrical installations on the premises by a competent person possessing valid licence.
The APDCL has also agreed to explore the feasibility of adding a dedicated 11 kv line to the project.
Expressing surprise at the failure of the consultancy agency RITES to guide the GMDA to avoid such kind of technical snags, member of the inquiry panel, senior consultant engineer JN Khataniar also recommended that the GMDA should take guidance of the right technical persons.
