11 hot mix plant contractors ready to start road projects

Tribune News Service

Ludhiana, September 11

Amid row between the Municipal Corporation and contractors of the Ludhiana Hot Mix Plant Contractors Welfare Association, Mayor Balkar Singh Sandhu said a total of 11 hot mix plant contractors had given their nod to start road works in the city.

The Mayor said he conducted a meeting with nine contractors yesterday and also talked to two more contractors over the phone.

Sandhu said: “The contractors had assured us that they will participate in the tendering process for road works in the city.”

Accusing some of the MC’s B&R officials of charging commission and being involved in corrupt practices, Ludhiana Hot Mix Plant Welfare Association president Vinod Jain had earlier announced to boycott road construction works (bitumen based) in the city.

Jain on Saturday conducted a press conference and raised the issue of alleged corruption in the MC again.

Jain said: “We will keep fighting against corruption. We have to make a corruption-free environment. There are some contractors being favoured by the MC. They claimed that there is no corruption in the civic body. But we demand from the Mayor and the Commissioner to get an inspection of any 10 roads constructed/ carpeted by such contractors in the presence of the public and the media. The testing of road samples would bring the truth in front of all.”