PWD set to begin work on Shimla Ridge restoration
Tribune News Service
Shimla, June 7
Finally, the Public Works Department appears all set to float a tender to restore the sinking portion of the historic Ridge.
“IIT-Roorkee has designed it and the estimate is also ready. We will float a tender by June 15 and award the work in July,” said PWD Superintending Engineer Suresh Kapoor.
An IIT-Roorkee team did the geotechnical study of the sinking portion and submit its report to the PWD. “It took time to get the project going because of Covid. The IIT was closed and professors also contracted the virus. But now everything is in place and the work will start at the earliest,” said Kapoor.
The department was ready to float the tender in December with the structure design and construction plan. “They had sent us the tentative drawings, but the goods for construction drawings had not come. The final drawings have come this month. Based on these drawings, we will invite the tender,” said Kapoor.
The project is being executed under the Shimla Smart City Mission with the budget of Rs 15 crore already approved. However, the budget estimate has also seen a major hike – the PWD has pegged the estimate at Rs 25 crore now. “The revised estimate will soon be conveyed to the officials,” said Kapoor.
According to PWD officials, the recommendation by the IIT to use micropile technology for laying the foundation of the RCC structure that will stabilise the sinking portion has pushed up the budget estimate.
With the final drawings and final estimate in hand, the PWD says it will take around 15 months to complete the project.
“We will not be able to work the whole day. We will need night permission and have restricted hours to work. So, we can hope to complete the work in about 15 months,” said Kapoor.
