No payment released to firm: Qadri
Irfan Tramboo
SRINAGAR, Dec 9: The Rs 7.71 crore Northern Foreshore Road (NFR) beautification project along Dal lake has been stalled after a third-party audit flagged major deviations from tender specifications.
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Following the findings, the J&K Lake Conservation and Management Authority (LCMA) issued a notice to the Gujarat-based contractor for violating contract terms and supplying material that failed to meet approved standards.
The project-tendered out two years ago and allotted to Classic Foundation, Ahmedabad-was meant to design, supply, install, test, and commission aerators and fountains at multiple locations along the NFR stretch.
As per details, the tender specified strict requirements for material quality, inspection protocols, delivery quantities, and payment conditions.
A key clause mandated third-party inspection by the National Institute of Technology (NIT) Srinagar, with payments tied to their approval. Sixty percent of the bill was to be cleared only after verification by both the departmental committee and NIT Srinagar.
Excelsior has learnt that inspections found several components inconsistent with the specifications listed in the allotment order.
The work involved establishing five clusters of aerators and that project was tendered out, with the Ahmedabad-based firm emerging as the L1 bidder.
After the allotment, the firm supplied the material; however, as per the details, it was found to be below the prescribed specifications.
According to the inspection findings, distribution pipes meant for chasing jet and mist fog nozzles corresponded to Schedule 5S instead of the mandated 40S grade, while ultrasonic testing detected inconsistent thickness in mild-steel float pipes, ranging from 5.0 mm to 8.7 mm.
Both the internal inspection committee and NIT Srinagar concluded that the material was below standard, raising concerns over the quality and authenticity of the supplied material.
LCMA subsequently directed the firm to replace all substandard items, but no corrective action has been taken so far.
NIT reports also highlighted significant shortages in quantities supplied. Against a requirement of 650 chasing jet nozzles, only 390 were found at the site, with just 130 installed. Similar shortages were recorded in mist fog nozzles.
The LCMA Vice Chairman Manzoor Ahmad Qadri told Excelsior that no payment has been released so far as disbursement is contingent on third-party clearance. He said the contractor has submitted its response to the October notice a few days ago, which is currently under scrutiny. “It is being examined and further action will follow,” he said. The firm, he added, has been asked to replace all deficient material, and foreclosure of the contract will be considered if it fails to comply.
The deficiencies have cast a shadow over the project, which was intended to improve oxygenation and enhance the aesthetics of the Dal lake frontage.
It may be recalled that the Housing and Urban Development Department (HUDD) also convened a review meeting in October to examine the inspection findings. LCMA had earlier issued a final notice on October 22, citing the contractor’s absence from the site and failure to respond to repeated reminders. The firm was instructed to resume work within seven days and submit a detailed reply within 30 days.
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