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Temghar dam repairs: State to move court to recover cost
MUMBAI: The state government has decided to move court to recover the repair cost of Rs100 crore estimated to be spent on the Temghar dam, which developed cracks
MUMBAI: The state government has decided to move court to recover the repair cost of Rs100 crore estimated to be spent on the Temghar dam, which developed cracks three weeks ago. The state has begun the re-tendering process for the repair work on the dam, which supplies drinking water to Pune.
The gravity dam had developed cracks in its walls three weeks ago, creating panic among the villagers of Mulshi taluka in Pune. Admitting that there were deficiencies and defects in parts of dam, the government has invited bids for its repairs on an immediate basis. In just six years, a lot of cracks have appeared owing to the sub-standard work. The first phase (65%) of the 3.7 TMC capacity dam was completed in 2002, while the remaining work was completed by 2010.
“We will make sure that the cost for the repairs is borne by the contractors. As they are not ready to bear the entire cost of the repairs, we will have to move court to recover the cost. After relaxing the norms, we have started the process of the re-tendering for the repair works as the first attempt failed to attract the contractors. Once the water levels recede post monsoon, the repairs will begin. We will make provision for the work till the cost is recovered from the contractors,” Girish Mahajan, water resources minister told HT.
The minister said since the bank guarantee is just Rs 2.5 crore, the contractors can be made to pay the cost only by resorting to the legal recourse. “They cannot shrug off his responsibility as the dam was damaged in just 12 to 14 years,” Mahajan said. The government had spent Rs 237 crore for the construction of the dam.
The state government has registered a criminal case under sections 420, 406 and 409 of the IPC against Shrinivas Constructions and Progressive Constructions and officials from the water resources department.
