The Municipal Corporation Finance and Contract Committee (F&CC) today said that they can not extend the length of Partap Chowk fly-over by even an inch, because they were facing fund crunch. It urged the state government to extend a helping hand.

The present project — from Campa Cola chowk till the start of Partap Chowk — is being executed at the cost of Rs 16 crore and will be completed by March-end. However it was suggested that the fly-over should cross the Partap Chowk to reduced the traffic congestion.

The expenditure for extending the the fly-over is estimated to be around Rs 27 crores. However MC today wrote to the state government that they do not have funds to extend the existing flyover and government should give them more funds to solve the traffic problem in the city.

The other decisions taken in the Finance and Contract Committee meeting were: MC will not allow installation of any sign-board of councillor in their respective wards. Till now, about seven councillor had sent budgets ranging from Rs 4-5 lakhs for installation of sign-boards in their wards displaying the achievements of councillor etc. The committee members refused to pass this item saying it was a sheer waste of money.

Another item taken up hiking the Ferozepur road construction budget from Rs 3.8 crore to Rs 4.70 crore so as to make some additional side-lanes. The members objected to the proposal and said that fresh tenders should be called for the side-lanes.

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