DIBRUGARH, Nov 25 - The contractors undertaking four-laning and re-alignment works of the National Highways and Bypass roads in upper Assam have been kept on strict watch following inordinate delay in completing the works.
The contractors have been asked to achieve certain percentage of progress in their works by end of the current financial year. In the event of failure to meet the specified percentage of works, the contracts could be terminated, said Tirtha Roy, General Manager (Projects), National Highways and Infrastructure Development Corporation (NHIDCL), Jorhat Branch during a ground review of the construction works by a team led by Deputy Commissioner Pallav Gopal Jha and media persons of the district.
Following instructions from Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal, the district administration along with the members from Dibrugarh Press Club today inspected the construction stretches and reviewed the progress of works in the district in presence of NHIDCL officials. The visiting newsmen interacted with the NHIDCL officials at the construction sites and gathered first hand information about the status of the ongoing construction works. The inspection team was led by Deputy Commissioner Pallav Gopal Jha.
Tirtha Roy told the visiting newsmen that the delay in completion of works is largely due to the poor performance of the contractors. �The progress of works has been extremely slow due to shortage of funds, manpower and materials at site. Due to slow progress of works, we have served notice of intent to terminate to the construction firms. Meanwhile their projects are under watch till March 31, 2020. The Central government is also monitoring the performance of the contractors. If they fail to meet certain percentage of progress by next March end, they could forfeit their contracts,� said the NHIDCL official.
Roy however, said that after the second notice of intention to terminate the under performing contractors had fallen in line and were catching up with the target. Nevertheless, their fate will be decided only after reviewing their progress after March 31, 2020, he said.
The Deputy Commissioner said that barring a 500-metre stretch of the bypass near Borborooah, all administrative works have been complete for the rest of the acquisitioned land for four-laning, re-alignment and improvement of the highway roads and the same have been handed over to NHIDCL. �Some 26 families who became landless after acquisition of the government land near Borborooah will be given alternative land in about 20 days and the unfinished stretch will be completed in a week or so. We do not want to construct the road forcibly as the previous administration had made some commitment and we want to fulfill it. Road projects are our top priority and we are seeking timely completion,� said the DC.
