Haridwar’s key devp projects in limbo

Sheo S Jaiswal / TNN / Updated: Oct 11, 2023, 10:34 IST

Share

AA

Text Size

Small
Medium
Large

Haridwar, a major spiritual tourism center, is facing delays in two important projects: the Har-ki-Pauri corridor and the pod car. Locals, who believe that these projects will alleviate traffic issues and boost commerce, are displeased with the lack of progress. The Har-ki-Pauri corridor is expected to appoint a consultant within the next 10 to 15 days, while the pod car project has failed to attract bidders. Political interference and confusion among stakeholders have further complicated the situation. Traders and social organizations are demanding clarity on the status of these projects.

Authorities blamed delays on a lack of interest in pod car project by the companies involved

HARIDWAR: One of the major centres for spiritual tourism in the country, Haridwar is currently grappling with the uncertain fate of two major projects: the Har-ki-Pauri corridor and the pod car.
Traders and residents in Haridwar, who feel that the projects would resolve the city's traffic woes and boost local commerce, have expressed displeasure over the delay in the implementation of the vital projects.
While the authorities blamed the delays on a lack of interest from project-implementing companies during the tender process, locals are far from convinced.
District magistrate Dheeraj Singh Garbyal said that a Request for Proposal (RFP) for the Har-ki-Pauri corridor was dispatched on February 23 to engage a consultant. After nearly eight months of the RFP issuance, Anshul Singh, vice-chairman of the Haridwar-Roorkee Development Authority (HRDA), stated, "A consultant is likely to be appointed within the next 10 to 15 days." Singh added that a company tasked with executing the corridor project was recently established under the Company Act.

It included, among others, the Mussoorie Dehradun Development Authority (MDDA) vice-chairman and secretary, along with HRDA vice-chairman and secretary.
According to the officials, a tender was floated approximately two months ago for the pod car project.
However, it failed to attract any responses from potential bidders. Speaking to TOI, an official from the Uttarakhand Metro Rail Corporation (UKMRC) said, "Nobody is willing to participate in the tendering process for the pod car project." The official alleged that certain local political leaders have privately supported the pod car project while instructing their associates to publicly oppose it, causing confusion and frustration among stakeholders.

Meanwhile, organisations representing traders and various social sections have expressed displeasure with the administration's delay in making a final decision on these vital projects.
They have called for clarity regarding the status of the two initiatives.

We also published the following articles recently

New 30.2cr tender floated for Vellayani bridge project
The project cost for the construction of the Vellayani bridge in Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala has been revised from Rs 27.75 crore to Rs 30.24 crore. This is due to changes in GST, schedule of rates, and the actual cost of utility shifting. The bridge will consist of various spans, with an overall length of 186.10m and width of 14m. The construction of the bridge is necessary to address traffic disruption caused by flooding during the monsoon season. The project has received financial sanction and the utilities in the bridge's alignment will be shifted.

Finance department rider is delaying funds for projects: DJB
Officials from the Delhi Jal Board (DJB) have claimed that the finance department is hindering the agency's ability to fast-track development projects. The finance department has imposed a new condition that all DJB projects must receive approval from its administrative department and that every single project must be vetted for the allocation of funds. DJB officials argue that this is not practical or realistic for urgent projects related to water and drainage issues. The DJB has been struggling with financial challenges and has been demanding additional funds from the Delhi government.

HC asks for Haridwar excise officer's CDR
The Uttarakhand high court has ordered the district excise officer to provide his mobile number and call details report for the days when liquor shop bids were accepted. The court also directed the defendants to submit their counter-affidavit within two weeks. The order was in response to a petition filed by a liquor shop bidder in Haridwar. The excise department had issued a notice inviting tenders for a liquor shop with a submission deadline of September 27.

End of Article

FOLLOW US ON SOCIAL MEDIA