Civic projects on hold likely to resume soon

Several projects costing around Rs 2,500 crore that have already been sanctioned or approved by the earlier state government will see the light of the day as soon as the new government in the state takes charge.

The projects that had received budget allocation few weeks ahead of the polls were put on hold in the wake of the election notification and the code of conduct that came in force in August. While the outgoing state government had sanctioned budget of several crores for various projects, the process of issuing or releasing tenders had got stuck due to the Assembly election.

The prominent projects waiting to resume include the renovation of the Nahar Singh International Cricket Stadium which requires an additional budget of several crores. The Faridabad Metropolitan Development Authority (FMDA) had taken over the Rs 222 crore project of the renovation of the stadium last year. Work was stalled on account of similar issues including the sanction of additional funds, it is claimed.

The second major task that had been allocated to the FMDA was upgradation of the sewage system, cleaning of the main sewage lines and setting up of more STPs (Sewage Treatment Plant) at an estimated budget of

Rs 450 crore. Though work on certain projects had been on, the budget for some others was yet to be released. A budget of Rs 1,550 crore for the East-West Corridor project to provide signal free connectivity between the East and West parts of the city is also awaiting final sanction, official sources revealed.

The construction of new Ranney wells and tubewells under the drinking water augmentation scheme, laying or construction of roads, additional civic amenities and completion of half-done projects handed over to the FMDA also need approval of additional budget to the tune of over Rs 300 crore, it is claimed. With a demand of additional funds having been made to the state government, work on some of the projects has remained stuck for long due to certain issues including pending inquiry, claimed sources.

Vinay Dhull, a senior official of the FMDA, said the final approval or release of funds for projects already sanctioned or on hold was expected soon.