Gravel price goes up,hits airport work

Sources said the issue figured at the recent meeting of the joint venture company of the international airport in New Delhi. It was said the contractor entrusted with constructing the apron and taxiways at the airport had stopped the work for the last 15 days. All the earthwork is complete and levelling done; only gravel is to be put and then pre-mix laid down.

“Since the work of apron started at the airport,the cost of gravel has shot up by three times,making it unviable for the contractor,’’ said an officer.

Sources said 100 cubic feet of gravel,which costs a contractor nearly Rs 600,was being sold for around Rs 3,500 in the market.

According to sources,due to the high cost of construction,even the companies bidding for the airport building are re-calculating the project cost. Their bids are likely to be opened shortly. Once the work is allotted,the company will be given two and a half year to complete the airport,which is expected to be ready by November 2014.

Also,the Haryana government was informed at the meeting by the Airport Authority of India (AAI) that the Air Force had objected and said no underpass tunnel could be made for the proposed airport from Haryana side. The Punjab government had also raised its objection,said sources.

But as the Haryana government still insisted on conducting a feasibility study,AAI engaged Delhi Metro Railway Corporation to conduct this study. The state government was quick to pay Rs 20 lakh plus service tax for the study to AAI.

At the previous meeting,the Haryana government had raised the issue of having a direct approach road from NH- 21 to the proposed international airport,and pushed for a feasibility study for an underpass tunnel below the main runway.

Despite repeated attempts,Financial Commissioner,Civil Aviation,Haryana,Rajan Gupta was not available for comment.