Pandemic takes toll on development projects in Faridabad

Bijendra Ahlawat

Faridabad, January 15

Major development projects in the city have become a victim of sluggish work due to pandemic conditions and delayed payments. Despite being launched several years ago, these are not likely to see the light of day soon.

Revealing this, sources in the district administration claim that as the projects are three to four years old, the cost involved is over Rs 1,000 crore. While the work on these got hampered by the lockdown conditions and ban on constructions due to pollution, the pace has also been impeded by the encroachments, delayed payments and non- availability of workforce, it is claimed.

The prominent include the project of International Convention Centre proposed to have come up in Sector 78. Costing Rs 378 crore, it was to be built by the Haryana Shehri Vikas Pradhikaran (HSVP). Though its foundation stone came up in August, 2019, no work has been started as the authorities concerned are yet to release the tender. The number two project, cost wise, is the bridge over Yamuna river near Manjhawali village to connect Greater Noida. With a budget of Rs 315 crore, its foundation was laid in 2014. But its completion is still several months away, according to officials.

The Rs 115-crore renovation project of the Nahar Singh International cricket stadium, launched in February 2019, is far from being over even after three years. It may take another two years as hurdles persist, says the contractor.

The project aims at raising the spectator capacity to 40,000. The Rs 80-crore project of the construction of the 4-km-long smart roads, taken up in 2018, is not likely to be completed within the next 12 months due to similar issues, say the sources.

The Rs 79-crore project for the revival of Badkhal lake has also got delayed by over two years. The construction of the new MCF headquarters building, MCF auditorium at Ballabagarh, multi-level parking in Sector 12, upgrading of the bus-stand and re-construction of main roads are among the affected ones. “Efforts are on to complete the projects soon,’’ says Divisional Commissioner, Sanjay Joon.

Main projects facing the brunt

• International Convention Centre proposed in Sector 78
• Bridge over Yamuna near Manjhawali village
• Rs115-cr renovation work of Nahar Singh int’l cricket stadium