Late payments delay project

[Salman]

ISLAMABAD/RAWALPINDI – Construction work on Kashmir Highway expansion and renovation project has delayed because of late payments to the contractor by the Capital Development Authority (CDA).The project, which is being jointly funded by the CDA and the federal government, is expected to be completed till June 2014. Initially, the project was announced to be completed in February 2013 but it has been delayed reportedly due to the scarcity of funds.According to sources, in February 2011, Capital Development Authority (CDA) awarded the contracts of expansion of Kashmir Highway in two packages: contract of modern carriageway was awarded in Rs1.69billion, whose progress is 30 percent, while contract of the other carriageway was awarded in Rs1.64 billion, whose progress is 60 percent. The project was to be completed in February 2013 but could not be completed due to late payment of the funds. Therefore, the cost of the project has increased due to the delay in the completion of the project and addition of a few more projects including construction of underpass, flyover and footpaths.The sources said that the CDA could not pay Rs35 million to the contractor of the first package and Rs250 to the second package contractor on time during the last year.When contacted, Chairman CDA Syed Tahir Shahbaz said that all the contractor firms working on different projects in the federal capital except the firm working on Kashmir Highway project has been paid the funds. He said the Kashmir Highway project contractors have been directed to speed up the construction work. He admitted that the civic body could not make payments due to scarcity of funds that caused delay in the projects but now that the payments have been made, the project would be completed till June 2014.Online adds: Construction work at Marreer Bridge is going on at a snail’s pace, which is causing problems for the commuters. The rush of vehicles here seems uncontrollable due to the ongoing developmental work on Marreer Chowk. Especially during the peak hours, traffic jam is a common sight. The citizens have demanded of the authorities concerned to expedite the work at Marreer Chowk so that the commuters might be relieved of the mess.