With two mega drainage projects under the Jawahar Lal Nehru National Urban Renewal Mission (JNNURM) only partially completed, residents on the city’s fringes have no choice but to put on a brave face against waterlogging. However, according to Kolkata Metropolitan Development Authority (KMDA) officials, the steep rise in the prices of construction material could slow down the project work considerably.
“The price of bricks has gone up from Rs 2,800 per 1,000 bricks to Rs 5,000 over the last three to four months. The prices of sand, stone chips, cement and steel have also increased. Overloading on trucks has been prohibited. When the work resumes, it is expected to slow down due to these factors,” said Sumit Datta, chief engineer (sewage and drainage), KMDA.
Even though work on both the projects has been suspended due to rains, the increase in the cost of construction material is forcing the contractors to think twice before investing their money in the projects.
According to sources, many contractors have written to the government asking for allowances against the price rise — an option not available under government projects.
“Work was suspended around mid-May due to monsoon. Around 30 per cent of the project work allotted to us has been completed, but we do not expect any respite to the public this year,” said Datta.
The Howrah project, being jointly implemented by the Howrah Improvement Trust, KMDA, KMWSA and the state irrigation department, involves lining and desilting of several canals, including the Baltikudi and Pocha canals.
“Bricks are very important for lining the canal’s sides. Suddenly no contractor seems to be interested in the work and only 25 per cent work has been completed,” said an irrigation department official. The drainage projects were initiated under the JNNURM this year with an aim to solve the annual waterlogging problem in areas around the city.
In North 24-Parganas, the Trans-Municipal Project for removal of drainage congestion is to cover five municipalties of Khardah, Panihati, North Dum Dum, South Dum Dum and Dum Dum at an estimated cost of Rs 45.3 crore. A similar Rs 93.38 crore project has been initiated for Howrah and its vicinity.