Not surprising, the four-laning project of Udhampur – Ramban and Ramban-Banihal stretches of National Highway has run into difficulties. The bidding contractors are asking for revision of rates on the basis of price escalation which is adversely affecting their ability to proceed with the work. We are informed that the lowest rates, offered in the recently invited bids for Udhampur-Ramban and Ramban-Banihal sectors, are 28 percent and 44 percent, respectively, above the estimate rates of National Highway Authority of India (NHAI). This means that NHAI has been fair to them and it seems that the contractors are guided only by self aggrandizement in contravention of rules and procedures. But supposing that there is a thinking of considering their demand of revision of rates, the matter has to go to the cabinet and that is a lengthy procedure. It is true that the notification asking for submission of tenders was delayed for various reasons including the September floods in Kashmir. There was poor response to the bids and only two contractors had responded. Even the lowest tender had quoted rates that are on the higher side of the approved rates.
4-laning of the NH-1 is a prestigious project undertaken with the clear purpose of making connectivity with the Kashmir valley and beyond to Ladakh feasible and devoid of bottlenecks. As this is the only existing surface connection between Kashmir and the rest of the country, its four-laning is a prestigious project. It has already been delayed but we hope that administrative bottlenecks will be cleared soon and resumption of four laning including digging of so many tunnels will be undertaken and completed with the scheduled time.
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