69 per cent of ADB contract packages have alerts

Work on 57 out of 83 projects incomplete

BILAL HUSSAIN

Fifty seven projects out of total eighty three contract package works that had been allotted by the Economic Reconstruction Agency (ERA)—special purpose vehicle for implementation of externally aided projects— have alerts. At present 69 per cent of the projects have alerts as mentioned on the ERA website.
Those contract packages have alert tags were work is pending due to one or other reason. Blockades for the projects could be utility shifting, long term issues, land acquisition, social issues, and many others issues. The major portion of total 83 contract packages were work had been allotted to various contractors, which amounts to package value of Rs 1119.34 crore have not been completed.
On of the contract package of Qazigund-Kulgam road has a alerts due to utility shifting with Power Development Department (PDD). “Electric shifting yet to be taken (Payment made to electric dept),” ERA website mentions.
Another alert is due to social issues: “SRP approved by ADB on 23rd January, 2008. SRP implementation pending for payment of assistance as details is awaited from collector LA ERA.” Work on the contracts started on July 25, 2006. Original completion date already over on July 25, 2008 and the revised date assigned September 30, 2009.
Second contract, Natipora-Nowgam and Newa-Pulwama road has alerts due to utility shifting with PDD: “Huge utility shifting involved (Required to be taken at higher level)”. On land acquisition: “pending with collector ERA”. The contract started on June 13, 2007 and the original completion date already is over July 10, 2009.
Third contract from Jammu division, Udhampur–Ramnagar road has alert due to land acquisition: “Under process on Tawi Bridge and Ritti Bridge approaches and at other places.” Another alert is due to utility shifting others: “Work effected from Km 15 to km 27 because of BSNL.”
The original completion date is already over December 17, 2008. “Less than 1 month remaining as per the revised completion date December 17, 2009.”
Forth contract, construction of public toilets in Jammu city of package value Rs 2.46 has alert due to utility shifting others: “Rehari chowk near passanger shed proposed location coming in alignment of B.C road flyover.” Another alert is due to land acquisition: “Land not available at transport yard no 6 and parking area Jewel Chowk.” The work on the project was started on September 25, 2006 and it was supposed to complete by September 24, 2007.
However, there are 26 contract packages among total of 83 projects that have no alerts.
“Projects that of Rawalpora-Tengpora Drain, Bijbehara Langanbal Road, Pohru Chowk-Chanapora Drain and few more have no alerts,” ERA mentions.
The project ‘Multisector Infrastructure Rehabilitation Project (MIRP) loan 2151-IND’ is first externally aided project funded by Asian Development Bank (ADB). The estimated cost of the Project is Rs 1611 crores. ADB loan component is Rs 1125 crore and counter part fund component is Rs 486 crores. Counter Part fund is borne by government of India under PMRP. Project completion period was June 2009. Government of India has been requested for extension of project completion period till June 2010 and subsequesntly GOI has recommended extension to ADB.
Mention to be made ERA is a society registered under Societies Registration Act of 1941 AD. ERA came into being on Dec 28, 2004. The operational areas of the ERA are the territorial limits of the state.