SHILLONG: State Transport Minister Sniawbhalang Dhar highlighted the obstacles that have slowed down the Inter-State Bus Terminus (ISBT) project at Mawiong Rim, East Khasi Hills.
The minister was replying to a call attention notice by Congress MLA P.T Sawkmie on the second day of the autumn session. Dhar said initially work was suspended for some time due to the issue of migrant labourers. On the financial front, he said the implementing agency could not pay the contractor due to delay in release of funds by the NEC. “This delay had arisen due to the fact that the detailed structural drawing of some of the building components had not been provided by the consultant on time,” the minister said.
Moreover, Dhar pointed to some ambiguity in the architectural drawings of the terminal building for which the consultant had to be called time and again to indicate the provisions kept in the design.
“The issue of availability of land in the approach to the ISBT also hampered the progress of work since the width of the available land at present is only 12 meters whereas the proposed width as per design is 45 meters,” the minister said. He added that the department is taking proactive steps to get the additional land.
With all these hindrances, the contractor has requested for extension of time till March 2019.
“The extension has been granted and the implementing agency will make all efforts to ensure that this project is completed on time,” the minister said.
Speaking about the project, he said the Inter-State Bus Terminus at Mawlai Mawiong is an important infrastructure much needed for Shillong designed to cater to the need of passengers coming from other parts of the region and passing through the city.
The project was approved by the Ministry of DoNER at an estimated cost of Rs 48.31 crore in 2013 and the area of land is approximately 53,041.74 sqm. The time given for completion of the project by the NEC was October 2017.
“However, the actual work commenced as per records from Chief Engineer (NH) PWD (Roads) was only on September 4, 2014, which was due to the fact that DPR was not made available to the implementing agency in time and therefore floating of NIT was delayed,” Dhar said.He said the amount was sanctioned by the NEC and the 10 per cent state share was sanctioned by the government in four installments so far.
The fifth tranche released by the NEC is awaiting sanction from the state government for both NEC and state shares. The amount yet to be sanctioned is Rs 7,77,77,777, which includes both shares. The amount of Rs 23,27,99,111 sanctioned up to fourth installment has already been utilised by the PWD (Roads). The physical progress of the work in terms of percentage is 62.
