PU misses third deadline for completion of rainwater harvesting project

The project started with an initial deadline of nine months,but was later extended till June 9 this year after work was found to be incomplete.

However,even after missing two deadlines the project is no where near completion.

As per the proposed plan,a total of 54 structures were to be constructed with the help of 28 roof tops and 27 surface locations.

Each structure,having two borewells,was expected to accommodate 100 cubic metres of water.

While 19 structures are yet to be constructed,the 35 that have been constructed have invited criticism for the quality of construction.

Apart from this,open borewells raise questions of safety at these sites.

But,the construction office seems to be in no hurry to complete the project and went on to justify the delay on account of vagaries of the weather.

“Construction of such structures is exposed to nature and all kinds of weather conditions,so the work gets delayed,” said Chief Executive Engineer,R K Rai.

Also,residents of the boys’ hostels have raised concerns about the 12 feet-deep borewell behind Boys Hostel No 1 that is lying open since the last few months with construction work suspended and garbage being dumped around it. When asked,Rai said,“We have not received any complaints in this regard.”

Adding there had been no laxity in construction for the project,Rai said,“Digging so many bore-wells involves challenges,as at times there are electric cables laid beneath the ground that need to be shifted. Co-ordination is another issue we encounter.”

He added,“We have only received 75 per cent of the total fund allocated for the project,which amounts to only Rs 5,43,00,000 and so we found it difficult to proceed. We have written to the CGWB to release the remaining amount,but no communication has been received from their side.”