The Chandigarh housing Board’s proposal for construction of underpasses is yet to take off despite the board inviting applicants twice for the construction of three underpasses in the first phase.

Finally, the Board has floated tenders for the third time and is hoping to get more applications this time. Only one applicant had managed to clear the technical and financial norms in the previous tender.

The three underpasses, slated to come up at Housing Board light point at Manimajra, transport light point and Piccadily roundabout in the first phase, are expected to account for an investment of Rs 35 crore.

Earlier, the tenders were floated in February and July last year. With just one out of the three companies managing to submit the technical details in the previous tender, the Board had no other option but to call for applicants again.

The last date of submitting the applications this time is June 30.

According to senior officials, “Only two forms have been sold so far and none deposited for the underpasses project. The company that was short listed earlier will also be counted as a qualified applicant.”

Three companies Tantia, ITD cementation and Gammon India had, earlier applied for the tender but only Tantia could qualify the technical and financial norms.

The construction of underpasses at Madhya Marg, Dakshin Marg and Udhyog Path included press lightpoint, Kisan Bhawan Chowk, Piccaddily Chowk, Transport Chowk, Industrial Area Phase-I, II,Housing Board lighpoint and Matka Chowk.

The construction of underpasses was proposed in 2007 keeping in mind the increasing vehicular population. Aimed at smooth flow of vehicular traffic, the underpasses were expected to bring the congestion of traffic down to half.