Indore: IDA wants Kesarbagh ROB ‘trespassers’ booked

The Indore Development Authority (IDA) on Thursday directed the contractors of Kesarbagh railway over-bridge (ROB) to lodge a police complaint against the people who had breached barricades and driven on the bridge without any approval.

The Indore Development Authority (IDA) on Thursday directed the contractors of Kesarbagh railway over-bridge (ROB) to lodge a police complaint against the people who had breached barricades and driven on the bridge without any approval.

People drive on the Kesarbagh railway over-bridge that is yet to open to the public. (Shankar Mourya/HT photo)

Irked by ROB’s construction missing several deadlines – the latest being December 21 – a few locals on Wednesday evening drove on the over-bridge in their vehicles as a symbolic protest.

The IDA and its contractors have missed so far as many as 14 deadlines set by the Madhya Pradesh High Court, and the work has been dragging for about eight years.

While there is still uncertainty over when the ROB will be thrown open to the public, the IDA is planning to rope in some political big wig for the bridge’s inaugural.

Paresh Agarwal, site manager of the contracting firm, Arvind Techno Engineers Pvt Ltd, and JV Airen Developers, confirmed that they had received directions from the IDA to lodge a police complaint against the trespassers.

“We have informed Annapurna police station about this, and also put barricades to stop vehicles coming towards the ROB,” Agarwal said.

Sanjay Kamle, a local resident, said the divisional commissioner had told the high court that the bridge should be ready for traffic within 35 days. “As the bridge is ready now there should be no further delay,” he said.

However, IDA chairman Shankar Lalwani said they had no problem in inaugurating the bridge, but there was still considerable amount of work left to be done.

“As soon as the contractor completes the work, we will take over the control of the bridge. But, meanwhile, we cannot risk the public safety and open the ROB in rush,” Lalwani said.

LONG DELAYS

The contract for the construction of the over-bridge awarded in 2007; was slated to be completed in one year

Improper drawings, bureaucratic red tape, political interference led to delay in completion

IDA and contractors missed deadline fourteen times in last eight years, the latest being December 21, set by the high court.

The bridge will connect Annapurna Nagar with Kesarbagh and Bhawar Kuan areas