Chandigarh awaits Centre nod for tender norms relaxation

CHANDIGARH: Now, the Chandigarh administration has left the decision of relaxing norms for hiring a competent builder for city's first flyover with the Centre.
The UT engineering department has forwarded a request to the Chandigarh-based RO regional office of the National Highway Authority of India (NHAI) for taking up the matter with the Union road transport and highways ministry. The UT department is now waiting for the ministry to give nod for relaxation of the tender norms for the project so that they can start the re-advertising process.
"Since, flyover project is being funded by the Union ministry and their officers are involved in the entire exercise, we can't take a decision on our own. So, we have requested for the ministry's permission. We have apprised the NHAI about the entire issue and submitted a file to him which they will direct to the ministry," said a senior officer of the UT administration.
Sources revealed that the file will go up to the level of the secretary of the minister for the nod and there will hardly be any involvement of the Union minster himself. Therefore, they are hopeful that they will get a reply on the subject soon.
As all the related works of the first flyover of the city are connected with the tender process, the UT administration is yet to allot the work to shift the underground services of Sector 29/31 roundabout. "The tender of around Rs23 crore has been approved by the UT administration, but they are waiting for the nod. Once the process is kick-started, the related tender of shifting of services will also be allotted," said an official.
Punjab governor and UT administrator V P Singh Badnore had laid the foundation stone of the much-awaited and first flyover and underpass in the city at Sector 29/31 junction, just before the imposition of the election code of conduct.