Work is slow due to delay in bill payment

 Integrated elevated corridor at Yalahanka; Extension of deadline for another year

 Work is slow due to delay in bill payment

Kere Manjunath ಕೆರೆ ಮಂಜುನಾಥ್ 

 Bengaluru: Delay in bill payment is the main reason for non-progress of work. The rule that the bill should be paid within 60 days has not been followed. We have written many letters about this and requested payment of the bill but to no avail...''

 NCC, which has been awarded the contract for the Integrated Elevated Corridor at Yalahanka, has clearly stated this in its letter to BBMP. In addition to this, it has requested that time be given to complete the work till February 24, 2025, as the expected assistance has been received in 'Utility Shifting'.

 There is a delay of 60 days in 2022 mobilization advance payment, 129 days in May 2022 bill payment, 52 days in August bill payment, four days in September bill payment, 225 days in December 2023 bill and 163 days in February bill. Only 75% of the last two bills have been paid. This is a violation of the terms of the lease agreement,” wrote the DGM of NCC to the Executive Engineer of the Road Infrastructure Department on November 15, 2023.

 The work on the flyover from Police Station Junction in Yalahanka to BWSSB Junction in Yalahanka NewTown was started in 2021 and was supposed to be completed by January 2024. However, due to the delay in payment of bills by BBMP, the progress of the work is almost one year behind. This has been clarified by the contractor and the extension of deadline is due to the failure of BBMP.

 As this is a 'turn key' project, there is no financial burden on BBMP. However, it is difficult for common people to travel here daily. Without any other way, one has to travel here with time wasting and annoyance.

Whenever asked, the people who are doing the work say that they have not received the money, how can they do the work. How can BBMP understand our plight? It is better to finish the work soon after starting it. Vishwanath of Yalahanka said that if there is no money, don't take up such a project.

 Some people say that the work is getting delayed due to the change of routes by Bescom and Jalmandali. Shouldn't these engineers who work overnight when the CM and PM come, give equal importance to the work of common people?'' asked Suresh from Yelahanka New Town.

 Just have to work: B.S. Prahlad

 Even before the contractors have to step into BBMP, they are well aware of the system here. There are delays in bill payment in the corporation. This is today, not yesterday. It has been like this for a long time. Those who come to work are aware of this. Delay in bill payment should be tolerated. Three months, six months delay in bill payment. After coming to work in BBMP, you should just work. Delay should not be said. BBMP Engineer in Chief B.S. Prahlad said.

•  ₹175 crore; Cost of Yalahanka Integrated Elevated Corridor
•  15 December 2021; Order to restart the half-stopped work
•  24 months; Deadline given for completion of work
•  ₹60.4 crore; Release of funds to contractors
•  Contractors; Nagarjuna Construction Company (NCC) Limited, Kumarakrupa Road