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| HCC clarifies but what? | | | Early Times Report
JAMMU, Jan 27: Hindustan Construction Company (HCC) issued a clarification stating that clearing the debris was not its mandate while giving a detailed résumé of what the company was doing for speeding up the construction of Mughal Road.
However, it did not rebut the content of the story carried by Early Times titled "Another deadline likely to be missed--Mughal Road going Baglihar way; HCC takes Muftis, Abdullahs all for ride". Instead, paragraphs extracted from the "Making of Mughal Road" document available on the website of HCC were sent in the form of an official handout with just one addition.
\This was about HCC not being responsible for clearing the Debris. It did not make any mention of what was incorrect and misleading information in the news report.
Here is the text of the HCC's clarification:
"This refers to the report titled 'Another deadline likely to be missed--Mughal Road going Baglihar way; HCC takes Muftis, Abdullahs all for ride' which was published in Daily Early Times dated 24 January, 2013 on page one and two. The news report mentioned above has some serious incorrect and misleading information and holds HCC responsible for scope of work, which is beyond the purview of the contract awarded to the Company.
We would like to clarify the facts point by point.
The Mughal Road project was launched in 1969 and several attempts were made by the government to execute the work. Finally, the State Government decided to handover the construction of Mughal Road to BRO in 1988-89. But the work was abandoned when insurgency broke-out in the state in 1990.
Finally, in September 2000 it was decided that the Government would execute the project directly and directed the J&K Projects Construction Corporation Ltd (JKPCC) to prepare a detailed project report. In 2001, JKPCC hired the services of M/s RITES Limited, an engineering consultancy company, specializing in the field of transport infrastructure, who approached Survey of India (SOI) & National Remote Sensing Agency (NRSA) for Satellite Imagery. M/s RITES prepared a feasibility report and submitted to the Government in 2002. The case was taken up with Ministry of Surface Transport in 2003 for necessary approvals. Accordingly, the said 83.90 kms bituminous road was put to tender in June 2005 under the Prime Minister's reconstruction programme. This led to the award of contract to M/s Hindustan Construction Co. Ltd, Mumbai at Rs 214.40 Crs.
Chronological development of Mughal Road:
2006: Work on the present Mughal Road with a double lane was allotted to HCC in February 2006. The Project's administrative approval was accorded with a project cost of Rs.255 crore.
In May 2006, PIL was filed by Sh. Fayaz A. Khudsar, Sole Trustee of Bio-Diversity Conservator of India, Krishen Nagar, Delhi.
2007: Supreme Court cleared the PIL on July 27, 2007 and environment clearance was also provided.
2008: Detailed project report prepared in March 2008 costing to a tune of Rs.639.85 Crore.
The entire work as per the contract was completed few months back on the 83.90 km stretch between Shopian and Baghliar, except 7 minor bridges which were not part of HCC's scope of work. These bridges have been constructed by some other company for which we are not responsible for.
The region through which the Mughal Road passes through is a heavy landslide prone area. Unfortunately a series of landslides (approximately 30) in past few months has resulted in debris accumulating on the already finished smooth tar road. HCC is not mandated for the clearance of the debris after major slip and slide (landslide) instances and cannot be held responsible for things which are not part of its scope of work.
In the light of the above mentioned facts, the news report, putting the onus on HCC, appears one-sided.
HCC strongly believes in creating responsible infrastructure that promotes the economic growth and improve the quality of life for all people. We are proud to have completed this challenging assignment despite the various hurdles-notwithstanding the challenging terrain and climatic conditions. We request you to kindly carry the above-mentioned clarification in your esteemed publication and set the record straight for our discerning stakeholders. |
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