Tale of 2 ROBs

Astounding plans, foundation stone laid 6 years ago, Rs 23 crore allocated, deadlines extended twice, but the project has been encountering many a hurdle

This is a classic case of a major project undertaken by a civic body, which has no sight of nearing completion. The deadlines are made a laughing stock, every now and then. Exactly six years after the Kandikal Railway Gate ROB was initiated, the project, as the picture suggests, only has this to showcase. Ask for the reason for delay and authorities only play the blame game.

Here’s a timeline of how the Kandikal Gate project has been held up for so many years

November 24, 2007:

Y S Rajasekhara Reddy, former Chief Minister, had laid the foundation stone for two rail over bridges (ROB) at Kandikal Gate and Uppuguda. It was meant to address traffic problems in Falaknuma, Chatrinaka, Gowlipura, Sultan Shahi and Charminar.

The project was allocated a budget of Rs 23 crore.

2011:

It was only after three years and a couple of months, that the GHMC began calling for the tenders. The reason cited for the delay was the trouble in getting approvals for the ROB design, poor response from contractors for the bids and land acquisition problems. In the meantime, the GHMC had changed the layout of the bridge from a two-lane to a four-lane road to cater to the increase in traffic flow. Officials also cited that about 70 properties would be affected due to construction of approaches on both sides of the bridge. This escalated the budget of the ROB form Rs 23 to Rs 27 crore.

2012:

For one year, till mid 2012, the project moved at a snail’s pace, until it hit another roadblock. This time, the reason was controversial. GHMC engineer-in-chief R Dhan Singh, at that time, stated that the corporation had submitted designs for the proposed ROB to the Hyderabad Metropolitan Water Supply and Sewerage Board (HMWS&SB), for shifting water and sewer lines, but the water board officials did not take any action. He had also informed that the GHMC had deposited the amount for shifting the lines to the water board in two instalments.

The water board however, had a different version altogether. According to S V Ramana, HMWS&SB general manager (O&M Division-II), the water board had to shift a sewer line between Chatrinaka and Kandikal Gate and a waterline between Aliabad and Kandikal Gate. They had new pipes which were ready to be laid out but cited that the GHMC unnecessarily delayed in handing over the stretch.

2013:

As per the revised deadline, the GHMC was supposed to complete the construction by April 13, this year. Seven months have passed since the revised deadline and now the delay is taking a toll on other projects. Due to less than half the work done at Kandikal Gate, the work at Uppuguda cannot be started, as the officials fear traffic congestions due to the construction.

Explaining the reason for the extension of the project, Dhan Singh said, “There have been many reasons for the delay. Water and overhead electrical wires were one and acquiring properties was another. The road was meant to be of 30-40 feet, which was increased to 80 feet. Now nearly 30 per cent of the work has been completed. Out of 115 properties, we have acquired 80. We will soon acquire the rest. In a matter of few months, the construction of the ROB would be completed.”