Dispute Between MJP and NHAI Over Pipeline Delay and Paithan Highway Expansion; NHAI Demands Rs 173 Crore Compensation | Representative Image
The Maharashtra Jeevan Pradhikaran (MJP) and the National Highway Authority of India (NHAI) neglected the works of laying the water pipeline and the four-lane expansion of the Paithan Highway from Jayakwadi to Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar. Now, both institutes have realized that the work of laying the pipeline and the highway was done incorrectly, and NHAI has demanded Rs 173 crore in compensation from MJP, stating the reason for the delay in laying the pipeline.
Meanwhile, a meeting chaired by the divisional commissioner will be held on January 1, in which it will be reviewed who committed the mistake and the wrong work that was undertaken. Attempts will also be made to find a solution to the problem.
The ambitious pipeline project, worth Rs 1,000 crore, has been sanctioned to supply water from Jayakwadi to Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar. The work of laying the pipeline has been completed from Jayakwadi, covering an area of around 20 km until now.
Heavy loses due to delay in work
Similarly, NHAI initiated the work of the four-lane Paithan Highway a few months ago. The contractor for the roadwork incurred heavy losses due to the delay in the laying of the pipeline by MJP, NHAI alleged, and demanded Rs 173 crore as compensation from MJP.
The government sanctioned the new water supply scheme in 2020, and later, NHAI granted permission to lay a 2500 mm diameter pipeline in 2022. MJP paid the amount required for laying the pipeline. Later, NHAI appointed a contractor for the four-lane Paithan Road. The work of laying the pipeline started from Jayakwadi. Stating the delay in laying the pipeline, NHAI demanded Rs 173 crore from MJP. Until now, 95% of the work of laying the pipeline has been completed, and the remaining work will be completed in the coming three months, sources said.
However, the new twist between the two government departments may delay the ambitious water supply project.
Meanwhile, Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar Municipal Corporation (CSMC) administrator G. Srikanth said that out of the total 39 km of pipeline work, 34 km has been completed. Now, NHAI has brought the issue of the highway to the forefront. The High Court and the divisional commissioner have given orders that the work should be prioritized over any other work. NHAI, in haste, completed the work of laying dividers on the road, and hence, the pipeline had to be laid after demolishing the dividers. Now, it is difficult to shift the pipeline elsewhere, he said.
