Six-laning project hangs fire in Kurukshetra

Nitish Sharma

Tribune News Service

Kurukshetra, November 13

A continuous delay in the six-laning of the Pipli-Kurukshetra University stretch has become an ordeal for thousands of people. The delay has also affected the city beautification project. The six-laning was scheduled to be completed by December-end, but almost negligible work has been done so far, following which the district administration has planned to get the tender of the current contractor terminated and float a fresh one.

The work was started in December last year and was to be completed by the end of this year. But the contractor stopped the work soon after starting it, following which the PWD (B&R) issued notices to him and also decided to terminate his contract. In July, the contractor assured that he would get the work completed by December-end, but very little work has been done so far. The road from Panorama to the Lok Nayak Jai Prakash (LNJP) Hospital is in a poor condition, which is leading to traffic jams.

Arun Bhatia, executive engineer, PWD (B&R), said, “The contractor has failed to complete the project and only 4 to 5 per cent work has been done by him. We have recommended re-tendering of the project. The cost of the project is around Rs37 crore.” Under the beautification work, the main entrance to the town at Pipli, construction of bus queue shelters, toilets, improvement in the traffic system, development of green belts and beautification of walls were to be done.

Deputy Commissioner SS Phulia said, “Re-tendering is a time consuming process and since roads are yet to be widened, the beautification work, which is also to be done on the Pipli stretch, has suffered a delay. International Gita Jayanti Mahotsav is scheduled to be celebrated later this month and we have directed the PWD officials to make the road, especially the one near the LNJP Hospital, motorable, so that the commuters don’t face any inconvenience.” Thanesar MLA Subhash Sudha said, “Due to the negligence of some officials and the contractor, the project has got delayed. The tender was even sublet, but even then the contractor failed to complete the project. I have spoken to the Additional Chief Secretary, PWD (B&R), and have recommended appropriate action into the matter.”

City beautification project hit

• The delay in the six-laning of the Pipli-Kurukshetra University stretch has become an ordeal for thousands of people. It has also affected the city beautification project.

• The project was scheduled to be completed by December-end, but almost negligible work has been done so far, following which the district administration has planned to get the tender of the current contractor terminated and float a fresh one.