Rs 7.5 cr penalty imposed on L&T for delay in surface water project
Deputy Commissioner reviews work of four-laning of roads
Taking serious note of the prolonged delay in the completion of the surface water project, which is causing widespread inconvenience to residents due to road digging across the city, a penalty of Rs 7.5 crore has been imposed on the executing agency M/s Larsen & Toubro Ltd.
Deputy Commissioner (DC) Dr Himanshu Aggarwal issued directions to department concerned to take action against executing agency for the inordinate delay in this project, following which penalty was imposed.
Chairing a high-level review meeting of ongoing development projects in the district, Dr Aggarwal said delay in the surface water project had severely affected daily life and traffic movement in the city. He categorically stated that any further unwarranted delay would not be tolerated and warned that stricter action would be initiated against the executing agency if timelines were not adhered to.
He said project is now expected to be completed within the current year and directed officials of the Jalandhar Smart City Mission to closely monitor both the deadline and the quality of work. He further emphasised that the work must go on full swing once the bitumen plants start functioning around February end.
During the meeting, the DC also reviewed the progress of the Burlton Park Sports Hub project, being executed at a cost of Rs 70 crore. He said, “The project is scheduled for completion by August 15 this year.” He instructed officials concerned to strictly adhere to the approved timelines.
Reviewing the four-laning of the Lamma-Pind Jandu Singha road, Dr Aggarwal directed the Public Works Department to expedite the remaining work and ensure its completion within the stipulated timeframe. He took stock of the four-laning of the Adampur Airport approach road and informed that the project was nearly 96 per complete. The DC directed the executing agencies to complete the remaining work at the earliest so that the road could be opened for the public use without any further delay.
Besides, Dr Aggarwal reviewed several other key infrastructure projects, including the construction of a 100-bedded critical care block at the Civil Hospital, Jalandhar; construction of a girls’ hostel at Gandhi Vanita Ashram; construction and renovation of tehsil and SDM complexes; the Subhana railway underpass; upgradation of link roads; and the Jalandhar-Hoshiarpur National Highway.
Terming these projects as vital for the district’s development, the DC said their timely completion would place Jalandhar on a high-growth trajectory by significantly strengthening urban infrastructure, particularly the road network. He directed all departments to personally monitor the progress and cautioned that any laxity or delay would be dealt with strictly.
