High-power panel serves notice on BVSR group

PATHANAMTHITTA: The Sabarimala High-Power Committee on Infrastructure Development has served show-cause notice on the Hyderabad-based BVSR Group, the contractor for the projects at Nilackal Pilgrim Transit Camp, seeking explanation for the inordinate delay in the implementation of the projects. Talking to Express, Additional Chief Secretary and chairman of the  Sabarimala High-Power Committee on Infrastructure Development K Jayakumar said that the committee was forced to take the extreme step of serving the show-cause notice on the contractor for its failure to implement the works in full-swing on the Rs 19-crore projects at Nilackal so that it could be completed before October 31. Jayakumar said that going by the present pace of implementation of the works, following a visit to Nilackal the other day, the contractor could not be able to complete the projects on time. Hence, the committee has decided to terminate the ongoing work in the larger interests of the pilgrims as only 50 days are left for the beginning of the pilgrimage season, he said. For a smooth implementation of the Nilackal Pilgrim Transit Camp project, the committee would invite fresh tenders in January and the work would be awarded immediately after the forthcoming pilgrimage season, Jayakumar said. Jayakumar said that the committee would initiate measures for the immediate implementation of the repairing of the interior road in the Nilackal parking area.  The committee would take steps on a war-footing to ensure smooth parking lots for the pilgrim vehicles from Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu and Kerala. In addition, measures would be taken to renovate the toilet complexes, water supply lines, installation of new public taps and renovation of temple pond, Jayakumar said. Besides, two sets of high-mast lamps will also be installed at Nilackal, he said.