Warangal: Contractors to get stick for the delay in works

Warangal: The contracting agencies would have to lose 5 to 10 per cent of payment if they fail to complete works before the deadline, Warangal Urban District Collector Prashanth Jeevan Patil said.

The Collector, who reviewed the progress of several development projects being carried by the Kakatiya Urban Development Authority (KUDA) here on Tuesday, said that work on Bhadrakali Lake Foreshore Development Project, funded by the National Heritage City Development and Augmentation Yojana (HRIDAY), a Central government's ambitious project aimed at holistic development of heritage cities, should be completed by December-end.

"With the Bhadrakali bund beautification is interlinked with 38 different components, there is a need for deploying more workforces to complete the project," Patil said, pointing to the slow pace of works. Referring to the works to be undertaken at Fort Warangal, he said that they were waiting for the clearance from Archaeological Department.

Stating that Jain temple, near Padmakshi temple, is ready to throw open, the Collector told the officials to collect Rs 10 entry fee for each person, while allowing the children below 5 years free of cost. The temple timings would be between 9 am and 8 pm. The Collector directed the officials not to plan any big projects except basic amenities at the Oxygen Park coming up at Rampur, on the suburbs of Warangal.

During the meet, the officials focused on land acquisition for the construction of 6-kilometer inner ring road (IRR) from Urs to the second gate of Enumamula Agriculture Market Yard. So far, administration had acquired 28 acres and paid Rs 69 crore to the oustees. A plan is on the anvil to construct a road over bridge (ROB) with an estimated cost of Rs 15 crore in this IRR stretch.

A special cell will be established to project KUDA as a real estate entity, the Collector said, recalling that the ventures promoted by KUDA had a huge demand. "At least 200 acres would be acquired before next March as part of KUDA's land pooling," he said.

KUDA Chairman Marri Yadava Reddy said that Bhadrakali Lake Foreshore Development Project, which would be thrown open January, could well be a cynosure of all eyes. On the occasion, the Collector has released posters of Chekumuki Science Festival and World Toilet Day, aimed at inspiring action to tackle the sanitation crisis.

Special officer Manu Chowdary, KUDA Planning Officer E Ajith Reddy, EE Bheem Rao, RDO K Venka Reddy, GWMC Additional Commissioner Ch Nageshwar, other officials and contractors were present.