Comments
A crucial flyover project in Kolkata may miss its revised deadline owing to an evolving conflict on shouldering responsibility for cost overruns.
The 300 crore project — under the Jawaharlal Nehru Urban Renewal Mission (JNNURM) — was scheduled to be ready by August 2012. The deadline was later extended by a year due to delay in land acquisition, resulting a cost escalation by 70 per cent or Rs 220 crore.
While the Centre is not liable to bear any additional cost incurred due to delay in completion of the JNNURM projects; it is learnt that the West Bengal Government is reluctant to shoulder the responsibility.
Executed by the Kolkata Metropolitan Development Authority (KMDA), the 9 km flyover would connect Park Circus in central Kolkata with Parama Island on the eastern fringes of the city. The flyover is constructed by Hindusthan Construction Company Ltd.
“It is quite unlikely the flyover will be operational and meet the revised deadline. While there has been a huge cost overrun owing to almost a year’s delay, the State Government is not eager to bear the additional cost,” a KMDA official told Business Line .
HCC declined comment.
A KMDA spokesperson said that the details of cost overrun in the project have been submitted to the State Finance Department. “But, there has not been any response so far,” he added.
Comments
COMMENT NOW
Comments
Comments have to be in English, and in full sentences. They cannot be abusive or personal. Please abide by our community guidelines for posting your comments.
We have migrated to a new commenting platform. If you are already a registered user of TheHindu Businessline and logged in, you may continue to engage with our articles. If you do not have an account please register and login to post comments. Users can access their older comments by logging into their accounts on Vuukle.