It is the start of May 2019. Exactly three years ago in 2016, the foundation stone for Outer Ring Road, from Jamtha reaching Gondkhairi and then to Kamptee-Kanhan bypass, was laid in presence of Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, Union Surface Transport Minister Nitin Gadkari. It was assured then that the road would be completed in May 2019. However, it seems the project has missed the deadline. The project is going on at a snail’s pace and is evident from the fact that ‘The Hitavada’ Correspondent had visited the road five months ago and only around 35% work was completed. The situation  has not changed even today.

 

 

 

A Rs 1,170 crore project of constructing 64 km road, taken up by National Highway Authority of India (NHAI) with its share of 40% while the contractor was supposed to borrow 60% from the banks. The NHAI will pay 60% amount in installments. Mumbai Entry Point Limited (MEPL), a company owned by Jayant Mhaiskar received the project.

The project came into existence with a thought that it would reduce inconvenience of the truckers and citizens as well. The work has not moved an inch forward for the last 10 months. Initially, at the start of the project, the speed was quite ok. During the same period some work was completed. After that it got slowed down. Very few kilometers of road got concretisation, at some places the bolders are lying without getting crushed, the PQC machines are in a stranded state. The halting of the work has made the iron material get rusted. Some of the people expressed fear that if the rusted iron material is used in the road then it would prove very dangerous.

 

N L Yewatkar, Project Director of NHAI admitted the delay while talking to ‘The Hitavada’. He said, “What you observed is right. Actually, we have issued several notices to the Contractor for the delay. This has hampered not only the project but also the development. No doubt there was some gap during election period as it becomes difficult to receive funds. As far as NHAI is concerned, we are known to make payments immediately.” The people from whom MEPL had taken material had to make lot of efforts to get the payments. For some period MEPL had to lock its three offices. Later on, it released the payments.

 

Work was started in two packages. Work contract of construction of both packages were given to MEPL of Jayant Mhaiskar. Somehow, one Shiwalik company and others started looking after the work of Package-II. Package-II work is moving with pace which are not facing any administrative hurdles too. Why Package-II is getting favour, the answer best known to the authorities.