Ladakh to engage consultants for inspection of 300-km road projects in strategic areas
Third party to see whether fund demands, spending are realistic; UT floats tenders
Arteev Sharma. Updated: 5/31/2023 3:03:29 AM

Jammu: Ladakh administration has floated tenders for engaging a third party, consultants, to conduct inspection of all major roads being constructed in strategic areas, particularly close to Line of Actual Control (LAC), under UT funding to ensure transparency and quality in works.
Sources said that the Chief Engineer, Roads and Buildings, Ladakh, on April 27, invited proposals for appointment of consultants for third party inspection of all major roads being constructed in the Union Territory.
“The tenders were invited for technical and financial bids from eligible consultants (a central or state government undertaking/enterprise) for inspections of major roads, having a length of 300 km, being constructed in strategic areas of the arid region under UT funding. The tender did not receive satisfactory response forcing authorities to extend the date for submission of proposal in the form of hard copy till June 7, while technical bids will be opened on June 10,” sources said.
The decision to appoint a consultant as third party for inspection of major roads in Ladakh has been taken against the backdrop of the directions of the Ladakh Lieutenant Governor Brig. (Dr.) B D Mishra (retired), issued in the first week of March, that the officials should complete works in strategic areas on priority.
The Lieutenant Governor while reviewing the progress of various Union Territory-funded infrastructure development projects by different construction units of the Border Roads Organisation (BRO) had also inquired if a third party would be engaged to conduct inspection of project works.
During the meeting, the Lt Governor directed for free flow of funds, without any financial stress, to the Project Vijayak and Project Himank for timely completion of road projects in strategic areas, particularly along the LAC with China.
“To ensure transparency and accountability while constructing major roads in the region, the Lieutenant Governor has called for a mechanism in the form of engaging a third party (consultants) to see whether the fund demands for the projects are realistic and the spending on project works are done as mentioned in the project report,” sources said.
Pertinently, complaints have been made against the use of substandard material in the construction of road works in the Union Territory of Ladakh. This is notwithstanding the fact that the Chinese army is building highways and roads along with additional settlements for its troops in eastern Ladakh to ramp up its military positions.

Updated On 5/31/2023 3:05:58 AM

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