In Faridabad, road project worth Rs29-cr waiting for approval

Bijendra Ahlawat

Tribune News Service

Faridabad, November 24

The Faridabad Metropolitan Development Authority, (FMDA) which came into existence two years ago, is yet to start the construction of some of the important roads in the city lying in a dilapidated condition. A project worth Rs 29 crore submitted by the FMDA is awaiting approval, it is learnt.

“The FMDA which had been allotted the construction of three major roads had prepared the proposal and submitted to the higher authorities about one and half months ago. It is yet to get the approval,” said sources in the district administration. It is added that while the move to take over the construction of the roads identified as dividing road of Sectors11-12, Sectors15-16 and the Vyapar Mandal road in the NIT area, had been decided at the FMDA meeting couple of months ago. The total length of these roads is 4,625 metres (4.6km). This is the first time that the FMDA has announced plans to rebuild some roads lying in a dilapidated condition. Formed in 2019, the FMDA has also announced plans to take over some of the prominent assets of the departments such as the HSVP, HSIIDC, Municipal Corporation Faridabad (MCF) and sports.

Proposal submitted one and half mths ago

The FMDA which had been allotted the construction of three major roads had prepared the proposal and submitted to the higher authorities about one and half months ago.It is yet to get the approval. —Sources in district administration

No need for FMDA if things move slowly

What is the need of an agency like the FMDA if things move so slowly. —SK Sharma, A social activist

Wwork to begin after approval granted

The road project is expected to start as soon as the approval is granted. —Senior official,  FMDA

Vishnu Goel, a resident, said the road repair work had been going on at a snail’s pace and it was a pity that basic amenities projects had been delayed. “What is the need of an agency like the FMDA if things move so slowly,” asks SK Sharma, a social activist. Claiming that multiplicity of agencies may hamper work, he said there was a dire need to make development work transparent and time bound.

“The FMDA has already taken over the functioning of six Ranney wells from the Municipal Corporation to look after the bulk supply of drinking water,” said a senior official of the FMDA, who added that the road project was expected to start as soon as the approval was granted. All roads (30-metre wide or more), sewage treatment plants and properties such as cricket stadium, city bus service are expected to come under the FMDA purview.

While the focus of the FMDA was a comprehensive and integrated development based on the Master plan, it would be authorised to issue licenses and CLUs for projects locally, it is added.