PIONEER EDGE NEWS SERVICE/ New Tehri
The district magistrate, Tehri, Nikita Khandelwal expressed displeasure over the slow pace of construction of a multi-level parking lot for 106 vehicles near Kaddukhal. While conducting a site inspection to review the progress of the work, which has been going on for long, on Tuesday she directed the officials concerned to expedite.
Kaddukhal Bazaar, on the Chamba-Mussoorie motorway, is the main basecamp for Surkanda Devi temple. From there, the devotees either board the ropeway or walk up to the shrine. However, due to a lack of parking facilities, they park their vehicles haphazardly on the roadside, leading to traffic jams.
Since the ropeway service began, the number of devotees has increased significantly, and the traffic ordeal has also worsened. To address this problem, the Public Works Department, Thatyur, approved a project cost of Rs 8. 34 crore, while the contracted cost is Rs 7.94 crore.
During the inspection, the DM found that only 12 workers were working at the construction site and the project’s physical progress was about 20 per cent, which was not satisfactory in accordance with the timeline set. Looking annoyed, the DM directed the executing agency to increase the number of workers and expedite the construction work.
She also directed the executive engineer to obtain a detailed report from the contractor concerned regarding the delay in the work and to submit a phased action plan and monthly work progress plan for the next six months within a week, so that the project can be completed in a timely manner.
She also directed the district tourism development officer to regularly monitor the project and submit a progress report every 15 days.
