Officials pulled up for delay in completion of works

IAS cadre officer to monitor JnNURM projects sought

In an inspection visit of Jawaharlal Nehru Urban Renewal Mission (JnNURM) projects and other works of Mysore City Corporation (MCC), Urban Development Minister, Vinay Kumar Sorake, pulled up officials for the delay in completion.

Speaking after the inspection, Sorake said that a lack of co-ordination between MCC officials and contractors were causes for the delay in the completion of projects. “We will take steps to resolve the issues that have caused delays and will increase the pace of works,” he said.

Since, projects sanctioned to MCC have not been completed, the Corporation is not able to get any new funds, he added.

Earlier, officials and corporator Ayub Khan attracted the wrath of the Minister during the inspection of Raja Marga. While MCC Commissioner P G Ramesh, superintendent engineer Krishna and other officials were found faltering to explain causes for the delay, Khan was angrily silenced by the Minister for siding with the officials. Raja Marga, a pedestrian corridor, was originally planned to be laid at a length of 5.1 km for an estimated cost of Rs 18.65 crore. Later, the length of the project was reduced to 1.5 km, for the same cost.
MLA Vasu described works of Raja Marga as a “dead investment”, while his colleague Tanveer Sait complained that the width of the road had been reduced, increasing traffic congestion.

Debris left along the side of the road while taking up the works, have also affected pedestrians, a 68 year old pedestrian Muralidhar complained. “Due to incomplete works, many pedestrians are forced to jump into the dug pits to make way for vehicles,” he said.

Sorake also inspected the construction of multi-level parking facility near Chowdaih Memorial Hall. He instructed the officials concerned and the contractor to conduct a joint examination of the works. During the inspection, the contractor of the works, Amith Sahani alleged that the works had been delayed due to the delay in clearing bills of works. Raja Marga work will be completed within “15-20 days”, he assured.

MP Vishwanath, re-iterated his demand and urged the Minister to appoint an IAS cadre officer to monitor JnNURM projects sanctioned for the city. “The officer must be empowered to summon all concerned official, so as to ensure that projects are implemented on time,” he said.

He added that even the Deputy Commissioner of the district has not been able to monitor funds to the tune of Rs 1,600 crores, sanctioned to the city under JnNURM.
Later, Sorake visited Cheluvamba hospital and inspected the premises.