In a significant push for urban development, the Finance and Contracts Committee (F&CC) of the Ludhiana Municipal Corporation convened a crucial meeting on Monday at the Mayor Camp Office. The session saw a sweeping approval for a host of civic projects, with most of the 115 resolutions presented being passed without major hurdles.
Swift Approvals to Prevent Fund Lapses
Municipal officials emphasized the urgency behind the approvals, stating that the civic body aims to initiate these works promptly. A primary concern was the potential lapse of allocated funds if projects faced delays. This proactive stance underscores the administration's focus on utilizing budgetary resources efficiently within the financial year.
Out of the total 115 proposals discussed, only a few faced scrutiny, while the majority received the committee's green light. This bulk clearance is expected to accelerate infrastructure and cleanliness initiatives across the industrial city.
Key Focus: Clean Air and Waste Management
Among the most notable approvals was the redevelopment of major city chowks under the National Clean Air Programme (NCAP). Officials stressed that these projects must be commenced before March to ensure the dedicated funds are fully utilized and not wasted.
Another critical item on the agenda was the revised cost for the Construction and Demolition (C&D) waste processing plant. The project's estimated cost has escalated from the previously sanctioned amount of Rs 7.39 crore to Rs 8.46 crore. A significant factor behind this increase is the expansion of the boundary wall from the originally planned 1,387 feet to 2,800 feet.
Officials revealed that although the plant's construction is complete, it has not been brought into proper operational utilization. The original estimate of Rs 7.74 crore was prepared under the Swachh Bharat Mission for the plant at Singla Cycle Road, Dhandari Kalan. After technical approval from the Committee of Chief Engineers on June 28, 2023, the cost was first revised to Rs 7.59 crore and then the work was allotted for Rs 7.39 crore on September 15, 2023.
Reasons for Cost Escalation
During the meeting, authorities explained the reasons for the cost overrun. They stated that while the approved plan included a 1,387-foot wall, verbal directives from the then Municipal Commissioner required extending the wall to cover the entire vacant space behind the site.
Furthermore, operational challenges at the location contributed to the rise. The drilling machine specified in the initial estimate could not be used due to the site being covered with rubbish and debris. To avoid delays and prevent the return of Swachh Bharat Mission funds, a mat machine was deployed for the initial piling work, adding to the expenses.
Allegations of Irregularities in Ongoing Work
The meeting also witnessed pointed questions from senior deputy mayor Rakesh Prashar. He raised concerns about the ongoing construction of a central verge at Subhash Nagar in the east constituency.
Prashar alleged that the work was being carried out contrary to the agreement, claiming that an old central verge in good condition was unnecessarily dismantled. He pointed out that rules mandate a 40% saving on old bricks, but this was not reflected in the current work. He also noted the absence of visible grills in the construction.
Prashar demanded a probe into the matter and urged officials to clarify the status of material retrieved from failed tube wells, asking for focused attention on these issues.
The committee's decisions mark a substantial step in Ludhiana's development trajectory, focusing on air quality improvement, waste management, and general civic upgrades, albeit with calls for greater transparency in execution.
