Pending dues, contractors say no to17 civic projects in Solan

The Solan Municipal Corporation (MC) is struggling to execute 17 developmental projects despite issuing tenders five times since August last year. Of 29 planned projects, only 12 have been awarded, while bids for the remaining 17 works have received no takers.

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The stalled projects include critical initiatives such as constructing baby feeding centres at the old and new bus stands, building a caretaker’s room, fixing iron railings in Ward 1, repairing entry gates and steps, constructing pathways, and laying water pipes and tiles. Other significant projects, like the construction of a water tank at Mohan Park, a canteen and driver’s room in the MC building, and a protection wall near the State Council of Educational Research and Training, remain unexecuted.

“These repairs are essential and need to be completed before the rainy season. However, no contractor has shown interest despite repeated tendering, which is hampering progress,” stated Usha Sharma, Mayor of Solan MC.

Contractors have attributed their reluctance to unpaid dues worth crores, some pending for several months. They claim they are unable to take on new projects when previous payments remain unresolved, forcing them to fund works from their own pockets and wait indefinitely for reimbursement.

Adding to their grievances, a group of contractors protested outside the Public Works Department (PWD) office, demanding payment of bills pending since November 2024. The protest highlighted the plight of 90 contractors employing nearly 5,000 workers, many of whom have gone without wages. PWD Executive Engineer Ravi Bhatti assured the contractors that their bills had been sent to the treasury and would be cleared soon.

Contractors have also criticised a recent state government notification reducing the threshold for e-tenders from Rs 5 lakh to Rs 1 lakh. While the government claims this move ensures greater transparency, contractors argue it has made small-scale projects financially unviable.

“This change has led to undue cost escalations in tenders, which attract audit objections that are difficult to resolve,” said Ekta Kapta, Commissioner, Solan MC.

The impasse has left vital civic projects in limbo, raising concerns about the timely execution of repairs and developmental works critical to the city’s infrastructure.