John Wilbert & Sarthak Kanjilall
Port Blair, March 01: The National Highway Integrated Corporation Limited finally swung into action and has imposed a penalty of 50 lakhs rupees against the M/s Mantena Vasishta Bridge JV to whom the work was awarded for the Middle Strait Bridge on 02.01.2018.
Though after the huge delay of around a year, the much-awaited Jirkatang- Middle Strait bride has been started and the contractor has also assured that the bridge will get completed in the scheduled time that is 02.01.2022.
The Managing Director, NHIDCL has also instructed the contractor to submit their action plan with the approval of the Chief Secretary, Andaman and Nicobar administration.
As per details available with Andaman Sheekha, tree cutting and bush clearance have been completed by the contractor in consultation with DFO, Baratnag and Wimberlygunj also the geotechnical investigation(GTI) is being completed except in sea portion for which GTI is in progress. The unauthorized construction situated in Baratang side approach of the bridge in forest land has been removed by the contractor with the help of the administration except for two permanent shelters.
Talking to Andaman Sheekha, Mr. Dilbagh Singh Dhanda, General Manager Project, NHIDCL said that Baratang Bridgework has been started on 24th Feb 2020 in the morning.
“I have asked day to day update on the status of the work completion, all the big equipment already reached the spot,” Mr. Dhanda said.
He further said that they are very strict and already a letter has been served to the company to start the work. “We imposed a 10 percent penalty for delay in starting the work,” said Mr. Dhanda.
He finally said that if the work is not completed in scheduled time, NHIDCL will again impose a penalty to them but if there is a natural disaster like cyclone or earthquake the work completion date can be extended.
