Gopal Sharma
JAMMU, Feb 15: Abandoned for the last over two and half years, an important 310 meters span bridge over river Tarnah at Mangloor in district Kathua, has become a victim of official apathy and indifferent attitude of JKPCC officials while a population of over 30,000 from five Panchayats has been left to suffer during rainy season.
Well placed sources told the Excelsior that this bridge was started with the initiative of Member Parliament Ch Lal Singh and the then Minister for R&B Ghulam Mohd Saroori had laid its foundation stone in February 2010. The Jammu and Kashmir Project Construction Corporation (JKPCC), the main contracting agency of Government, sub let the work to M/S A K Constructions, owned by a Jammu based contractor.
Though the work was initially allotted departmentally to the contractor for the project of Rs 17.18 crores on this pre-stressed concrete bridge over Tarnah at Mangloor, a part of Billawar constituency, the contractor completed the sub-structures comprising of nine pillars within record 3-4 months after commencing work in April 2010. Thereafter, the work was abandoned in view some reported differences of the contractor with JKPCC officials regarding rates defined for the super structures. The delay in the payment of the contractor was yet another reason behind abandoning of this work. Unfortunately, this bridge which was given the deadline of 24 months by the authorities, could not be completed even today.
The JKPCC and the R&B authorities then jointly decided to go for fresh tenders of the bridge for super structures and other remaining works. In November 2011, fresh tenders were called, but no response came. Three extensions were given in the dates but again, there was no response at all. Again, fresh tenders were invited on April 9, 2012, but the JKPCC found no response.
Yet again, e-tenders were invited on 19-7-2012, but there was no response. On October 8, 2012 another attempt was made and two responses were received. But surprisingly, in last three months, the Contract Committee and the Managing Director failed to take a decision in this regard. No agency, the concerned officers of JKPCC/ R&B and even the legislators are bothered about the plight of over 30,000 souls of this Kandi belt. It has been alleged that due some political constraints and internal understanding of some key JKPCC officials with the contractor, the other contractors preferred to stay away from work.
The first contractor, pleaded that JKPCC should make his pending payments and he had no problem if the work is allotted to any other contractor.
Sarpanch from Mangloor Panchayat, Kulbhushan Singh said this bridge is most important for the people of nearly 5-6 Panchayats including Mangloor-I, II, Farlain East/ West, Dhani-Bakhta, Bera and Jakhool. During rainy season, this area remained cut- off due to flood in Tarnah river. He said several times, the deputations met the MD JKPCC and even some ministers and MLAs in last two years but nobody listened and acted properly.
He said four days back R&B minister arrived here on public request and he has now assured early completion of work. Mr Singh alleged that due to political wrangles this work was sabotaged and JKPCC officials also dragged feet due to their vested interests and ultimately people of the area kept suffering for long.
Minister incharge R&B, Abdul Majid Wani when contacted said that he himself visited the site and held meetings with the local people including Sarpanchs/ Panchs and JKPCC officials at the site. He said that in presence of MP Lal Singh, MD JKPCC and R&B Chief Engineer, he issued instructions to complete this bridge before coming rainy season. Mr Wani said the work on the bridge will be started within ten days and funds will be no problem now. He said instructions were issued to members of Contract Committee to finalise the contract of superstructures and MD has been asked to closely monitor work on month basis and report to him the progress.
Dy General Manager JKPCC, Kathua R K Mansotra when contacted claimed that M/S A K Constructions have received its entire payment of Rs 5.05 crore of raising sub-structures. He said the work was started as `piece meal’ (departmental) in the beginning. Since, contractor was not ready to work further on same rates, Corporation decided to go for fresh tenders. It took long time in view of no response. Moreover, paucity of funds was another reason of delay. He however, claimed that in October 2012 two contractors, one from J&K and one from outside have responded and Contract Committee at higher level will decided over it shortly. He said the MD JKPCC is competent to allot work up to the limit of Rs 2 crore project.
The DGM said Rs 5.23 crore funds stand released till today for this Rs 17.18 crore project. Rs 7 crore will be spent on super-structures and remaining on the allied works including approaches. The DGM further claimed that R&B minister has given the completion target of this bridge by July this year and agency will put all efforts to meet the deadline.
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