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| NHIDCL puts Khanday Infra in ‘negative list’ for 2-years over slow pace, unprofessionalism | | Construction of Bidhar Bridge in Anantnag | | Saahil Suhail
Early Times Report
Srinagar, Nov 6: The National Highway and Infrastructure Development Corporation Limited (NHIDCL) has put Anantnag based firm into ‘negative list’ for two years after it failed to complete the construction of Bidhar Bridge in South Kashmir’s Kokernag in stipulated time.
To this effect, the NHIDCL has issued an order [NHIDCL/ J&K/ NH-244/Bidhar Bridge/201738] detailing how the contractor failed to deliver and exhibited unprofessionalism.
According to this order, NHIDCL and M/s Khanday Infrastructure Pvt. Ltd. signed an EPC Agreement on 31.12.2020 for the work of “Re-Construction of composite Steel C Girder bridge Bidhar Bridge) using innovative Technology at Km 229+800 of 40m span between Sinthan pass to Vailoo section of NH-244 in the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir on EPC mode.” at the contract price of Rs. 2.65 Cr., with completion period of six months commencing from the 16-20-21.
The project, NHIDCL says, was required to be completed on or before 16-08-2021, however M/S Khanday Infrastructure failed to complete it.
Executive Director (Tech) K P Singh, in this order, says that M/S Khanday Infra even missed the milestones of the project.
“The date of achieving the Milestones of the Project as per Contract Agreement are 24.04.2021 (MS-I i.e. 10%), 06.04.2021 (MS-II, i.e. 35%), 19.07.2021 (MS-III, i.e. 70%) & 16.08.2021 (Scheduled Completion Date, i.e. 100%J). However, EPC Contractor in complete disregard to the contractual stipulations has achieved 0.00% financial progress as on 06.09.2021 and has failed to achieve alt the Milestones, due to the entre reasons, defaults and breaches which are solely attributable to the EPC Contractor,” reads the order, a copy of which lies with Early Times.
NHIDCL says that the contractor failed to mobilize the adequate resources, Manpower, Materials, Machinery and Plant and Equipment etc. to meet the desired progress as per Milestones fixed as per Schedule-J of Contract Agreement.
ED (P) Srinagar vide letter dated 13.07.2021 & letter dated 31.07.2021 directed the Firm negates claims, blames NHIDCL for delay
On 04.08.2021, ED(P) Srinagar sought action against the contractor after he missed all milestones of the project.
NHIDCL says that the contractor has failed to understand the criticality of the Project keeping in view the fact that various stakeholders (viz State / Central Govt.) are reviewing the project on regular basis, yet the progress of works turned out to be unsatisfactory due to inadequate engagement of resources by the contractor. “It has literally ignored the inconvenience, wastage of time and money to the public and State economy,” reads the orders.
Order says that contractor’s act is totally unethical and shows total disregard to its commitment made during the Review Meetings.
“Contractor has also proved that it is not at all bothered about the public discomfort that is being faced by the people of Jammu & Kashmir due to slow execution of the project,” it says.
NHIDCL Regional Office-Srinagar, vide letter no. NHIDCL/R0- SGR/Bidhar- Bridge /2021-22/01 dated 11.08.2021 issued Show Cause Notice to the EPC Contractor for placing it in the Negative List of the Authority. By way of the Show Cause Notice, the EPC Contractor was called upon to explain in writing as to why the EPC Contractor should not be placed in the Negative List of NHIDCL, however the contractor vide letter dated 12.08.2021 replied but couldn’t justify the delay.
Wasiq Ahmad Shan, CEO Khanday Infra however blamed NHIDCL and claimed that the corporation couldn’t decide on time and delayed the execution of the project. “After finding the already constructed abettments in good condition, I submitted the proposal for the construction of the super structure only. Initially, in the month of June-July, I was conveyed to go ahead but in the meantime the office changed and the Srinagar office contradicted their earlier communications,” he said, saying his firm will make the bridge motor-able very soon. |
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