Dimapur, September 14 (MExN): The Public Works Department (Roads & Bridges) has issued clarifications in response to the ultimatum served by a Yimchunger organization over issues related to a road connecting Aghunato and Shamator. The chief engineer of the PWD issued the clarifications asserting that there was no “misappropriation of funds” but made no mention of the contractor tasked with the work project.
The department said that the funds for the road amounting to Rs. 1702.44 lakhs was submitted to the DONER based on Schedule of rates of 2005. Sanction was “accorded” only during 2009 Rs. 1597.30 lakhs, the PWD said. “However, in anticipation of sanction from the DONER, the first work order amounting to Rs. 1597.30 was issued during December 2007 based on SOR 2005. Therefore by the time the sanction was received, the cost of materials/transportation chargers etc had increased tremendously and the SOR 2008 was already in force,” the PWD stated.
Also during the course of preparing the ‘work estimate’ there was two aspects that need to be incorporated. “No provision was kept for side drain cutting throughout the stretch of the road which needed to be incorporated; in order to improve the gradient of the road, diversion works were required in three locations covering about 2.00 km in total.
This needed full formation cutting work which entailed extra costs,” the department said.
According to the PWD the ‘working estimate’ was prepared taking into account the stated two points. “Hence the sanctioned cost could not cover the entire sanctioned length of 20.00 km. Also, the bituminous works could not be accommodated and works up to WBM stage only was proposed for a total length of 15 km only. According to modified work order was issued during April 2009 for an amount of Rs. 1565.98l lakhs based on SOR 2008 which superseded the first work order,” the PWD said.
The PWD also informed that the contractor has been instructed to ‘complete the incomplete portion of work.’ Five months have been given as the stipulated period to it to mobilize men and machines. The department also denied any misappropriation of funds and “welcomes scrutiny of its actions taken by any agency.”
