Div Com directs progress of Jammu-Akhnoor Road widening project to be expedited
'Reprimands NHIDCL for failing to deliver on the milestones; Penalty clauses to be invoked on the contractors'
JAMMU: Divisional Commissioner Jammu, Dr Raghav Langer on Sunday inspected the progress of work on Jammu-Akhnoor Road widening Project.
The Div Com took a round of the entire stretch from Bhagwati Nagar to Akhnoor and inspected the work progress on all the packages at several sites including Patel Nagar, Paloura, Muthi, Domana, Mishriwala, Bhaterra and Akhnoor.
He was accompanied by Executive Director (P), NHIDCL, Riten Kumar Singh; General Manager (P), NHIDCL, Col. S P S Samgwan; SDM, North Jammu, Marh, Akhnoor, DMO Jammu, Tehsildar concerned, besides site Engineer, Akash Saluja; and other concerned officers.
The NHIDCL officials apprised the Div Com about the current status of work on the prestigious road project, besides progress achieved so far and the future work plan.
It was informed that out of total 133 piers for the flyover, foundation of 127 has been laid, Pier shaft 99, pier caps 80 have been completed while work is in progress on other segments.
“Over 60 percent progress has been achieved on the Package 2 of the project, which is from Canal Head to Ganesh Vihar (5.20 Km),” NHIDCL officials informed.
It was further informed that under package 3, blacktop work on 7.5 Km stretch has been completed, while work is in progress on the remaining stretch.
The Div Com took strong note of delay in work on package 2 & 3 and set timelines of December 31, 2021 for completion of the work on each package.
He also directed the National Highway Infrastructure Development Corporation Limited (NHIDCL) to invoke penalty clauses on the defaulting contractors with immediate effect.
The Div Com also reprimanded the NHIDCL officials for the bad condition of service roads, as a result of which the public and commuters are facing lots of difficulties in the movement.
It was reiterated by the Div Com that maintaining the traffic worthiness of the service roads is the responsibility of the contractors and no laxity on this front shall be tolerated.
It was further informed that the land acquisition process has almost been completed and at some stretches minor utility shifting work is pending. The Div Com issued strict directions to the concerned officers for immediate shifting of the electric poles, HT, LT lines, which are coming under the alignment for smooth execution of work on the prestigious project.
He also directed NHIDCL to be in regular touch with concerned officers of district administration for every logistic support and share the requirement of construction material. The DMO Jammu was directed to provide construction material to the NHIDCL for smooth execution of work on the project.
The Div Com asked the NHIDCL to set weekly, monthly targets and expedite the progress of work on 4 laning of Jammu-Akhnoor Road Project for its timely completion.
