R&B takes over balance work from JKPCC
Excelsior Correspondent
KATHUA, Nov 28: On the intervention of Union Minister, Dr Jitendra Singh who is also MP from Kathua, Udhampur, Doda Parliamentary constituency, the balance work of Jathana bridge over river Ujh in district Kathua has been taken over by the PWD (R&B) from JKPCC for its speedy construction.
The handing over and taking over process of the bridge from JKPCC to R&B was done on November 14 between DGM JKPCC, Kathua/Samba and Executive Engineer PW(R&B) Division Kathua.
Official sources said that now the construction work of the remaining portion of 532 mtr span bridge and 1875 mtr approach road (1175 on right side and 700 mtr on left side) over river Ujh at Jothana will be done by PW (R&B).
Sources said the design and construction of the pre stressed double lane bridge including approaches was entrusted to JKPCC Ltd Unit Kathua in the year 2016. With the taking over of the bridge there are high hopes among the people of the area about the early completion of the work.
Chief Engineer , R&B Jammu Samba, Rajesh Gupta when contacted said that the work of this bridge is now being looked after by the R&B Division Kathua.
Official sources said that the work will be executed by the PW (R&B) and it is the discretion of the Department whether they will allot the work to previous contractor or invite a fresh tender. However, sources said the contractor has turned a defaulter and despite the repeated pleas made by the authorities to resume the work he failed.
Sources said that the people of the area were annoyed against the contractor for abandoning the work and they also protested number of times. Even the higher ups in PW (R&B) gave reminder after reminder to contractor to resume the work but he failed.
Sources said as the contractor failed to construct the bridge, the Department handed over the work to PW(R&B) which will be at liberty either to issue fresh tenders or allot the work to the present contractor.
Sources said as the work has already suffered due to the monopoly of contractor and the Department has now taken stringent measures of completing the work as early as possible.
Senior BJP leader from Kathua, Manjeet Jasrotia said that with the intervention of Union Minster, Dr Jitendra Singh the issue has been resolved. He said the work has been suspended for last over two and half years. He hoped that the work on the bridge would be resumed shortly.
When contacted Dr Jitendra Singh appreciated the positive role played by Principal Secretary, Works Shalinder Kumar and expressed the hope that work will be resumed soon.
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