Delay in pipe laying works: Minister convenes meeting

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: PWD minister G Sudhakaran on Wednesday convened a meeting of Kerala water authority (KWA) officials to discuss the issue of delay in implementing the pipe laying works as part of Jawaharlal Nehru National Urban Renewal Mission (JNNURM) in the city. After meeting with KWA managing director Ajit Patil and other officials of KWA and PWD, Sudhakaran said that permission will be given for pipe laying works and for immediate maintenance works.Works worth around Rs 40 crore need to be completed under the project.
A statement issued by PWD minister after the meeting said that delay in JNNRUM was not the fault of PWD. KWA officials, however, said that it was only partly true.
By the time PWD gave permission for road cutting after a long delay, many of the contractors of the project had backed out.
Though PWD assured all support for the project, it is unlikely that the project will gather pace. "Some of the contractors have backed out, while others are executing the work in a very slow pace," said an official.
According to KWA, the project was delayed initially due to hurdles in getting permission from PWD. "The project was started in 2008. However, permission for works on various stretches was given only by March this year. By the time, many contractors backed out citing cost escalation and hurdles in getting permission," the official said.
Contractors from outside the state took up the works in 2008. However, most cited practical difficulties after taking up the work. "Most of them had experience of working in states, where land was available for pipe laying. They shared concerns when there was delay in getting clearance for road cutting and working in highly congested roads.