UT’s third bid for consultant

Ramkrishan Upadhyay

Tribune news service

Chandigarh, March 29

After failing to get consultant for the second time, the Chandigarh Administration will issues fresh tender to appoint a consultant for the flyover project at the Tribune Chowk.

The Engineering Department has decided to float another tender after relaxing certain terms and condition for the appointment of consultant.

The Ministry Road Transport and Highways gave nod to the Chandigarh Administration to engage a consultant for the preparation of the detailed project report for the construction of the flyover at Tribune Chowk in December 2016.

Soon after the approval, the Administration tried to engage a consultant twice, but no consultancy firms came forward due to the strict terms and conditions. Later, the Administration approached the NHAI for the relaxation of conditions. Source said the Department of Engineering asked the NHAI to

reduce the turnover from Rs 5 crores to 2 crores and it should also allow non -empanelled companies to participate in the tender. The project has been delayed after the Union Minister of Road Transport and Highways S Nitin Gadkari announced the project during his Chandigarh visit last year after the demand on the issue was raised by MP Kirron Kher. The Administration has already prepared the tentative estimate around Rs 372 crores for the project from Tribune Chowk to the elevated road up to Hallo Majra.

The consultant will prepare the comprehensive plan on the type of flyover to ease out traffic congestion from the Tribune Chowk to Zirakpur. The Engineering Department has favoured construction of cloverleaf type flyover at the Tribune Chowk junction over to the proposal of an underpass. Tribune Chowk is an important junction which falls on National Highway 5, and thousands of vehicles pass through the roundabout every day.

The cost for the construction of the flyover will be borne by the Government of India.