In absence of tender process, work remains stuck
The development work in 24 towns of Rajasthan continues to suffer as the new government has not yet initiated the reissuing of tender process of Rs 2,400 crore after they were cancelled in December by GS Sandhu, former Urban Development and Housing (UDH) additional chief secretary.
After the cancellation, the department had claimed to adopt a global tendering process to invite more companies. The work, however, is lying unattended till date. The tenders were approved for carrying out work related to sewerage, drainage, water supply and slum development under Rajiv Awas Yojana in 24 towns and cities of the state.
A senior official was quoted as saying on condition of anonymity, “A revised proposal will be sent to the Centre government again. We are expecting a delay in inviting tenders and issuing work orders as model code of conduct will be enforced soon.”
He further added, “For drainage, sewerage and other projects, 80% financial assistance will be provided by the Central government under the Jawaharlal Nehru National Urban Renewal Mission (JNNURM) and remaining 20% shall be borne by the local bodies. Centre has approved major portion of funds, though tenders will be invited again the rates are expected to increase and revised demand will be sent to Central government again.”
A JDA senior engineer said, “The JDA has to construct sewerage line in 5 populated areas of the city, where there are no such lines. Similarly, to save water, constructions of sewerage treatment plants (STP) of different capacity were proposed under this. It seems the project can be started around November-December after the rains.”
Even, the residents of Jaipur Municipal Corporation (JMC) periphery are expected to face inconvenience during the rainy season. In the past, when the JMC did not replace old sewerage pipelines it contaminated drinking water supply in the Walled City.
An official also said, “The estimated population in the Walled City is approximately 6 lakh and the plan was drawn accordingly. New pipelines of 200 mm width were proposed to be laid to curb the problem of overflowing.”
Source: The Times of India
Contaminated drinking water, global tendering process, Jaipur Municipal Corporation, JMC Jaipur, JNNURM, Rajiv Awas Yojana, Urban Development and Housing, Walled city
