Depts lock horns over Ghaziabad FoBs

January 11, 2012

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The public works department (PWD NH division) and Ghaziabad Municipal Corporation (GMC) are at loggerheads over the construction of two foot-over bridges (FoBs). While the PWD NH division has threatened to stop the construction of FoBs at high-pedestrian movement points near Vasundhara
and Vaishali over the NH-58e stretch, the latter claims to have initiated work.

The corporation has started the construction of two 105-feet-long FoBs, which will connect Sahibabad to Vasundhara and Dabur Crossing to Vaishali on NH-58e stretch, on a build-operate-transfer (BOT) basis. The FOBs, to be built at Rs 4 crore, are expected to be completed in two months.

However, PWD NH division officials maintain that no such work can be undertaken on BOT basis without a prior permission from the ministry of road transport and highways.

“We can’t allow them to proceed with the BOT work and put up posters on FoBs. Their structural safety should be certified,” said Ravi Dutt Kumar, executive engineer, PWD (NH division).

The department officials have even forwarded a complaint to the Indirapuram police, asking them to lodge an FIR against the agency carrying out the construction activity.

On the other hand, GMC officials claim that the PWD had been apprised about the construction in August 2010 and the civic body would proceed with the work at any cost.

“The FoBs fall under our jurisdiction. The construction is being carried out in larger public interest as the two points are congested and pose a threat to pedestrians. The Municipal Corporation Act allows us to undertake such work,” said AK Singh, executive engineer, GMC.

It is not the first time that such construction is being carried out on highway stretches passing through the city.

The Ghaziabad Development Authority (GDA) had recently carried out the widening of GT Road from Mohan Nagar to Dilshad Garden border. It has also completed the first phase of widening six to eight lanes from Dabur Crossing to Mohan Nagar.

Further, the work of widening six to eight lanes of GT Road from Mohan Nagar to new bus stand is on. GDA is also undertaking the construction of third bridge over Hindon river near GT Road. Sources said no prior permission had been obtained for the previous projects.

Source: hindustantimes.com