Quality control tests mandatory for development projects in Ludhiana

To rein in on private contractors and keep a check on the quality of material used by them for projects under the Punjab Urban Development Mission, technical adviser to the chief minister has issued an order to conduct quality control tests of the material to be used in the development projects in city.

Major General VK Bhatt (retd), technical adviser to the chief minister, recently ordered technical and financial audit of the works to be carried out under Urban Mission-2016.

Wapcos Limited and Engineers India Limited have been engaged for carrying out the third party technical and financial audit of all works under the mission.

Bhatt ordered that a demonstration patch for all works, including CC roads (RMC), metalled roads (bitumen), paver blocks/interlocking tiles, laying of water supply and sewer pipes, drainage and streetlights among others should be laid by the contractor concerned in the presence of third party consultant as well as the officer nominated by the office of technical adviser.

Rakesh Garg, superintending engineer of the Ludhiana Improvement Trust (LIT), shall be the representative of the technical adviser. It is for the first time that such measures have been taken to ensure quality of development works.

The contractors have been directed to get the quality control tests of the material, including water, coarse aggregates, fine aggregates, stones, boulder, reinforced cement concrete, bricks, tiles and others, done. They were also ordered to get the quality control tests conducted for road works.

The third party inspection agency will review the test reports and carry out regular tests to ensure quality of works.

Meanwhile, the order has created panic among the contractors. A contractor, requesting anonymity, said, “We procure sand and gravel from Pathankot. It would be better if they suggest us the companies from where we can get tested and approved material. Even water has to be tested before being used for construction. There are so many tests and this will put extra burden on us.”

MC superintending engineer HS Khosa said they would ensure implementation of the directions of technical adviser to CM. Development works worth Rs 413 crore would be done in the city, he added.

He said, “A team of Wapcos has visited some areas where the projects will be started.”