Rs 1.5L hindering start of escalator on foot over bridge

BHOPAL: A sum of Rs 1.5 lakh is what is standing between the start of foot over bridge (FOB) facility at Jyoti Talkies traffic square that will help pedestrians in safely crossing the heavily congested traffic intersection.
The said amount, a security deposit, to start electricity supply is turning out to be a bone of contention between the Bhopal Municipal Corporation (BMC) and MP Madhya Kshetra Vidyut Vitran Co Ltd (MPMKVV).The power distribution company (discom) is demanding security deposit to start electric supply for the FOB.
As a result, the escalator fitted with the FOB almost a month back has not yet been tested. Trial run could not be undertaken due to non availability of electricity.
Zahid Khan, DGM, MPMKVV Co Ltd, said, "We have approved the plan for supply of electricity to FOB at Jyoti Talkies. Once the security deposit is made electricity supply will be started."
The FOB was scheduled to be operational by September last year. At one stage, there were even plans to test the escalators through generator but it was shelved.
The municipal corporation has blamed the recent rains for delay in start of escalator facility.
City engineer of the corporation, AK Nanda, denied that the escalator remained inoperative because the amount has not been deposited. "We have already deposited a cheque".
"We are trying our best to get the escalator at Jyoti Talkies FOB operational", he added. There are as many as 30 FOBs proposed to be constructed in Bhopal, tenders have been floated for about half of them.