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PMK seeks Central funds for completion of bridge work

PUDUCHERRY: Leader of the Pattali Makkal Katchi (PMK) in Parliament M.Ramadass on Thursday urged the Central government to earmark Rs.12 crore for completion of the construction of the four-lane bridge under the Ministry of Shipping and Surface Transport. In a letter to Mr.Baalu, he said the funds were required to replace the 120-year-old bridge on the Ariyankuppam-Cuddalore road to meet the mounting traffic load.

Mr.Ramadass, who had visited the ongoing project site on Wednesday along with party legislator R.K.R.Anantharaman and officials concerned, said in his letter that to replace the old bridge, the government got the Centre’s approval for the construction of a new two-lane bridge in 2002. However, subsequently, it was proposed to construct a high level four-lane bridge, he recalled. Expenditure sanction for the construction of the bridge at a cost of Rs.13.02 crore was obtained under the Government of Puducherry funds and the work was awarded to the contractor on December 15, 2004, with the condition that it should be completed within 18 months.

“At present, nearly 80 per cent of the foundation work has been completed and Rs.6.64 crore has been spent so far. Now the contractor has given a representation stating that the work could not be taken up due to delay in handing over of the site and non-acceptance of his claim for the payment of price variation and requested to foreclose the contract and settle the final bill, failing which he will go for arbitration. To avoid the litigation, the contract is proposed to be foreclosed,” he said.

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