Aurangabad Municipal Corporation struggles to raise money for road contractors

AURANGABAD: Even as the civic body has decided to release 30% of the total outstanding dues of various road contractors, there are still doubts whether the contractors will complete all the pending projects in the next three to four months.

After the municipal authorities failed to clear bills of the contractors, the work of about 12 road projects has been put on hold.

"The contractors will soon start most of the road projects as the civic body has recently decided to release their part payment. We have also asked the contractors to complete all the pending roads projects launched under the deferred payment system," municipal commissioner Sunil Kendrekar said recently.

But sources in the municipal corporation said the contractors have decided not to accelerate the projects unless they get the payment. "They have been asking for money to carry forward the projects, but the municipal authorities have only given them assurances. But the outstanding bill amount is quite huge," they said.

For the past few months, most of the road contractors have been constructing white topping and tar roads at a snail's pace. Sources said the main reason for the slow pace of work is the delay in payment. The municipal corporation has not cleared bills to the tune of Rs 25 crore leaving the contractors with no option but to go slow.

In the meantime, residents across the city are facing inconvenience due to incomplete roads. The municipal authorities have blocked traffic on one side of the road near Reliance Mall to enable the contractor construct white topping roads. The block is causing frequent jams at various places and also making it difficult for the pedestrians.

Besides, under the project to upgrade the city's drainage system, the authorities have dug roads on many crucial points. Underground drainage line is being laid on a long stretch near Shahanoor Miyan Dargaha, for which traffic movement has been restricted.

Adding to the woes of the commuters, the city is witnessing construction of two flyovers on locations where traffic flow has been completed thrown out of gear.

As the AMC is struggles to keep its 1350-km-long network of roads in shape, potholes have developed at many places making it extremely difficult for commuters.