Railways to scrap contract given for Vellore ROB work citing delay

The work for the bridge, which started in July 2016, was extended till July this year following a delay in putting up the central span across the tracks, even as the approaches on both sides were completed by the state government. 

Due to the work, locals are forced to spend more on fuel as they have to take a 6-km detour via Pennatthur or a 7-km circuitous route via Abdullapuram. The alternative is to travel through a dug-up road, which is usable only by two-wheelers. 

The Sripuram Golden Temple manager P Sampath said, “Devotees have been put to lot of hardships due to the detour.” Thilagavathi, a housewife, who resides nearby, said, “We do not know when the work will end. But till then we have to put up with the dust.”

When DT Next contacted, sub-contractor Naveen said his men have stopped the work as the contractor Bhola Singh, a retired railway official, had not paid them for six months. “I spent from my pocket and paid workers Rs 1.16 lakh and when I demanded Bhola Singh to reimburse the amount, he lodged a complaint against me at the Vellore Bagayam police station.”

When contacted, a Southern Railway official said, “The contractor has failed to complete the work and hence we have decided to terminate his contract.”