Minister for Parliamentary Affairs, Dr Zaheeruddin Babar Awan Saturday said no contractor executing development projects in the federal capital, would be given extension in deadline or escalation in the project cost.
'We would not allow to extend the project completion date or give escalation in any project, as it not only creates burden for the CDA but also on the people of the country,' the minister said during his visit to the under-construction Faisal Avenue, the Jinnah Avenue Flyover.
Awan, who is also the Chairman of Prime Minister's Steering Committee on Islamabad Development Package, formed by Prime Minister, Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani, said the project should be completed by January 15 as per prescribed schedule.
The minister issued these directives when he was told that the project cost has been escalated from Rs 815 million to one billion and deadline has been extended to January 15. He stressed the Authority to examine the quality of construction material, particularly the steel, being used in the project, adding that 'We do not want tragedies like Margalla Tower plaza in Rawalpindi and a bridge in Karachi reoccur,' he said.
The representative of the contractor firm M/s Matracon told the minister that 85 percent of the project has been completed while the rest would be completed within the prescribed schedule. Work on the slip road would be completed shortly while girders are being laid on the overhead bridge, he informed.
Awan said the project should give the look similar to that was shown in the presentation and stressed the Authority to give the project environmental beauty as the CDA has been facing sever criticism for chopping trees during the execution of development projects. Further, he said the steering committee is also mulling to execute some development projects to enrich the environmental beauty of the federal capital.
He said delay in the project does not only create disturbance for the commuters, residents and school-going children, but also poses security threats due to mounds of construction material lying around the project site. Later, the minister also visited the under-construction Zero Point Interchange and lauded the pace of work and the CDA's target to complete the project by early 2010, six months ahead of the schedule.
The CDA officials told the minister that, as per Pakistan Engineering Council rules and regulations, the contractor would be awarded five percent bonus, if it completes the project before the deadline, as was won by MAAKSONS, hired for widening of Islamabad Highway.