It seems like the wait for the flyover at Pardi might be longer because of the slow pace of construction work. The flyover is being constructed by the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI). It was supposed to be completed by March this year and as per the proposed plan it should have been opened for public by now.
However, thanks to the sluggish pace of construction the flyover is far from completion. Construction of this much awaited flyover had started in May 2016. For the last three years the project has been in news for all the wrong reasons. From fund crunch to delay in acquisition of land, many roadblocks hit the project leading to delay.
Sources said the cost of Pardi flyover project has increased manifold because of the delay. However, it is learnt that the National Highway Authority of India has finally decided to step in and expedite the construction work. Sources said the NHAI is mulling to provide financial help to the contractor. A meeting was also convened in the city to discuss the issue. It was decided to provide Rs 10 crore to Rs 12 crore to the GDCL, the firm which had been the contract to complete the flyover.
NHAI awarded the project for execution to city-based SMS Infrastructure Limited, which has a joint venture with Mumbai-based Gannon Dunkerley and Company.
Interestingly the start of this project was not good as well. The construction work started after nearly two years of bhumipoojan. This despite the fact the local MP Nitin Gadkari was the Union surface transport and highways minister. After his intervention the construction work got underway but at snail’s pace. In the last three years only 25 percent work had been completed.
The seven kilometres long flyover will have one approach ramp at Pardi Octroi Post on Bhandara Road, four approach ramps towards Kalamna APMC market, Old Bhandara Road, Central Avenue and Ring Road along a rotary where four approach roads will come together on the flyover.
Due to inordinate delay the project cost has escalated, so did the project of commuters and locals. Shops and businesses were reeling under losses while dust is making life difficult for the locals. With monsoon around the corner, people’s suffering is set to intensify and with the current pace of construction it seems that the project may not even be completed by December next year.
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