What's worse, it appears that the scheme, to be executed by the Maharashtra Jeevan Pradhikaran (MJP), will not meet the new deadline recently extended to 2001 by the government.

In fact, the contract itself was awarded by the MJP as late as June 1998. Till date, only 2 per cent of the work has been completed. The MJP has also been fining the contractor, M/s Surendra Engineering, Rs 1,000 per day since February 1999. When he continued to default, the fine was raised to Rs 5,000 per day.

Superintendent Engineer N Mhajan told Express Newsline that if the contractor is unable to complete the work by the March 2001 deadline, the fine amount would be adjusted against the final bill. Asked why the contract had not yet been terminated, he said: ``Of course, there are prescribed rules but ourexperience has shown that it is extremely difficult to re-allocate work to another agency. Besides, that would only delay the project further.''

The 2 lakh residents in Mira-Bhayander receive only 33 MLD against the 60 MLD requirement. This, coupled with the unchecked proliferatin of unauthorised constructions has led to an inequitable distribution of the water available. Capitaising on the rising demand, tanker operators in collusion with corprators in the townships have been bleeding residents in return for water supply. Two months ago, a crippling water scarcity had also provoked residents to resort to arson and rioting.

Ignoring the MJP's recommendation to divide the work into 13 parts to make improve accountability, the state government divided it into two parts only. Eyebrows were also raised when both contracts were awarded to M/s Surendra Engineering.

Interestingly Minister for Water Supply Anna Dange was not aware of the developments. He told Express Newsline

: ``I had heard that the workhad been allotted. But at the state level it is difficult to keep track of every project at every stage. I shall make inquiries. If it is found that the contractor's defaulting has delayed the project, we shall have to explore the possibility of even terminating his contract.''

Director of M/s Surendra Engineering, Kulwinder Singh, said: ``It is not correct to say that no work has begun. We are behind schedule but already 14 per cent has been completed.'' He claimed that the March 2001 deadline would be met.

``Following the rioting, both the MJP and the Mira-Bhayander Municipal Council wanted us to prepone the work and complete it by 2000. But I refused since it is near impossible.'' He also denied rumours that the tanker mafia has been leaning on him. ``There is no problem. But I wouldn't know of the existence of any mafia as my work has begun from the Thane end and I have to still reach the outskirts of Mira-Bhayander,'' he said.