Hot mix plant body threatens to stall work if their dues not cleared

Demanding immediate payment for the old works done, the Punjab Hot Mix Plant Association has threatened to stall the ongoing works.

President of the association Balwinder Singh Sidhwan said despite repeated reminders to the state government, there was no check on the supply of coal tar. The tins being supplied did not have any seals which increased the chance of adulteration and, therefore, the quality of the roads could be affected.

Sidhwan said they were also facing a lot of difficulty in getting the raw material needed to make roads. The supply comes from Bharatgarh and Pathankot areas of Punjab, where a ban has been ban imposed by the High Court on mining. This has resulted in shortage of raw material. Last year, auction of only eight sites was done in these locations and for the rest, the state government failed to get environment clearance. Crusher mixed with sand was coming from few select locations and that too at higher rates, said members of the association. Because of this, the development works could not progress, said Sidhwan.

Two days ago, Deputy Chief Minister Sukhbir Singh Badal had announced that a vigilance committee would be set up to probe the quality of works in the state.

The association members said they would not do any works if the quality of coal tar was not improved and if the government did not clear the dues. Payments of more than Rs 1,000 crore for the works already completed have been pending while works of over Rs 2,000 crore are going on at various locations.

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