PWD projects incomplete due to cost escalation; Fadnavis seeks details
| Date :10-Nov-2022 |
By Vikas Vaidya
Started years ago, several projects in Maharashtra handled by Public Works Department (PWD) are still incomplete. Reason? Cost escalation. The status of the projects is such that now they can neither be completed nor abandoned. Nagpur Division of PWD also is facing the same problem.
Taking serious cognisance of the issue, Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis has asked the PWD officials to furnish details of such projects so that a concrete solution could be found.
Projects like Niyojan Bhavan near Sadar Police Station and Sales Tax Department, opposite Ravi Bhavan were launched with much fanfare but later lost pace. Also, a girls’ hostel of the capacity of 200 on Freedom Park Road is awaiting its completion.
The new hostel to accommodate girls studying in various Government institutes was announced by then Prithviraj Chavan-led Government in 2014 to mark the birth centenary of Vasantrao Naik, ex-Chief Minister of Maharashtra. The Rs 5 crore project was of Higher and Technical Education Department. Subsequent Joint Directors of Nagpur region of the department kept track of the project. Still, could not see it get completed. The project was started in the year 2017 and was to be completed in 2019. Majority of the construction work was done. One fine day, the contractor stopped work citing difference of cost between the one quoted in 2014 and that of 2019. Since then, the issue remained unresolved. The building is complete but rooms are unfinished to serve the purpose.
When contacted, Atul Deshkar, the then in-charge of the project from PWD, said, “Due to outbreak of the coronavirus pandemic, all works have come to a standstill including the projects being monitored by PWD.”
According to a retired senior official of PWD, all the funds of the department were diverted for healthcare. Obviously, PWD was not able to clear the bills of the contractors. Meanwhile, PWD has imposed a fine of Rs 1,000 per day on the company handling the Girls’ Hostel project. The company refused to pay but assured to adjust the fine once the works resumed.
PWD had accepted the company’s contention but the issue remained unresolved as the project has been waiting its completion. Previous Mahavikas Aghadi Government led by Uddhav Thackeray did not take any decision and sat on such projects. The projects have become complicated now as Government has to find some solution regarding cost difference, it has also to fix the fine on the contractors. The Deputy Chief Minister wants to review and solve the problem as early as possible. At present, the PWD machinery is busy in renovation works of MLA Hostel, Nag Bhavan, Secretariat and Ravi Bhavan ahead of Winter Session of the State Legislature scheduled from December 19.
At the same time, under the leadership of Chief Engineer Sanjay Dashpute, the department has kept the details of pending projects ready as asked by Fadnavis.