Delay in construction work on mega project of up-gradation and widening of the Kashmir Highway is creating trouble for the motorists and transporters.
The slow pace of work on already delayed project is causing gridlocks at various places, leading to long queues of vehicles.
The main reason behind the delay in the project is said to be scarcity of funds and non-payment of money to the contractor firms. The expansion project of Rs 4.8 billion was to be completed in February 2013 but now it is to be completed till June 2014.
The Capital Development Authority (CDA) had made two sections of the project in February 2011: contract of the first section was given for Rs 1.64 billion while the contract of the second section was given for Rs 1.69 billion, making a gross cost of Rs 3.24 billion.
According to sources, progress on the first section is very disappointing as only 30 percent of the work is yet done, however 60 per cent work has been completed on the second section.
Last year, the CDA did not pay Rs 35 million to contactor of section one and Rs 250 million to the contractor of section two in time, therefore the contractors had stopped the construction work. The work was restarted later on the payment of some of the dues.
When contacted, the CDA officials said that funds have been paid to all the firms working on different projects in the federal capital except those of working on Kashmir Highway project. They said that the contractor firms have been directed to expedite the work on the projects and complete the projects within the stipulated time. The officials admitted that the civic authority was going through financial crunch and the Kashmir Highway project was delayed due to non-payment of funds to the construction firms. However, they insisted that the project would be completed till June 2014.
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