The Southern bypass, meant for commuters travelling between Chandigarh and Bathinda, has missed another deadline of October 31 as set by the government in August.
With this, the bypass has created a record of missing eight deadlines in a row.
The project, which was initiated in 2006, has been getting delayed for the past seven years. Border Roads Organisation (BRO) is undertaking the construction work of the 18.25-km bypass worth `83-crore in the royal city.
Besides commuters, the bypass is of major importance to the Army.
Upset over the delays, deputy commissioner GK Singh inspected the progress of work on Tuesday and directed the BRO officials to complete the project by December 15 by all means.
BRO officials, including chief engineer MS Sodhi said 96% work of the project was complete. The 15-km stretch of the bypass was ready and the work of giving finishing touches to the remaining 3 km road was on progress.
"The bypass is a requisite to remove traffic snarls on city roads. The road will provide a quicker route to Chandigarh-Bathinda passengers. Instead of moving through Patiala, commuters can directly travel through this bypass,"said the DC.
The Southern bypass will provide relief to commuters facing traffic woes due to heavy traffic movement from Bathinda, Sangur and Chandigarh.
{{/usCountry}}The Southern bypass will provide relief to commuters facing traffic woes due to heavy traffic movement from Bathinda, Sangur and Chandigarh.
{{/usCountry}}The project was scheduled to be completed by March 2011. Due to delay the project cost was escalated to Rs 110 crore which was supposed to be completed by October 2012 under revised deadline.
December 2012 was scheduled as another new deadline as the project had failed to get completed by October 2012. Since then, every month the district administration has been talking to BRO officials, who give a new deadline for the project.
Lack of raw material, absence of contractors and cost escalation has been delaying the project since it was initiated.
The state government in June had warned BRO to finish the work by August 15. However, in July BRO requested the government to extend the deadline. But it had again missed the deadline in October.
Deadline dreary
Project name- Southern bypass
Project cost- Previously Rs 83 crore, now Rs 110 crore
Date of initiation- In 2006
Organisation carrying out construction- Border Roads Organisation (BRO)
Major deadlines missed
March 2011, October 2012, August 15, 2013, October 31, 2013