THE Roads and Buildings Committee of civic body has decided to deduct 15 per cent of the consultancy fee payable to the Centre for Environmental Planning and Technology (CEPT) as penalty. It is for causing delay in the final design delivery to the contractor of the road from Ladla Pir Crossing to ACB office via Ghevar Complex in the Shahibaug area.

The committee also slapped a 10-per cent penalty of Rs 26.90 lakh on the contractor of the Rs 4-crore project.

“This is for the first time in the history of the AMC that a prestigious consultancy organisation like CEPT has attracted penalty for delay,” said committee chairman Manubhai Kathrotia on Wednesday. He said the idea was to make others beware of delays in implementation of projects and leading to cost overrun. He said he saw no justification in penalising only the contractor when the time overrun was caused due to late handing over of final designs.

While granting extension for the project, originally to be completed in 19 months, Kathrotia said attempts to shield the consultants from the administrative side would not be taken lightly by the political wing.

He also said there was no reason to blacklist the contract when the delay was caused not solely on one party.

Prof Utpal Sharma of CEPT said money was not the issue with the institution. “When we will receive the letter from the AMC, we will do the needful,” he said.

Meanwhile, estate and town development office personnel in the West Zone of AMC demolished illegally built structures in Danilimda and Vatva wards of the city on Tuesday.

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