Chief Secy on a month off,projects halt

In June,Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav had formed a high-level committee to examine various aspects related to the implementation of BRTS in Lucknow. The committee,headed by the Usmani,had to select a consultant to prepare a detailed project report (DPR) of the BRTS. The nodal agency for the project,Lucknow Development Authority (LDA),on July 25 invited request for proposal (RFP) for consultancy services for preparing feasibility study-cum-DPR. The LDA also organised a pre-bid meeting on August 3 where six consultancy firms had turned up.

A Housing Department official said these firms had given some suggestions regarding the terms and conditions and the project plan. “Some of these suggestions have been accepted but the Chief Secretary’s approval is required for incorporating them in the bid document,” said the official. After making the changes in the bid document,RFPs would be accepted from the interested. firms.

Officials said that since Usmani heads the high-level committee,they are waiting for his return and not seeking approval from acting Chief Secretary V K Sharma.

Similar is the situation with Jai Prakash Narain International Centre (JPNIC). The Mulayam Singh government had,in 2006,laid the foundation of the project in Gomti Nagar. The project was shelved by the BSP regime. After coming back to power this year,the SP government had announced the revival of the project and made a provision of Rs 20 crore in the annual budget.

The project will include a statue of JP Narain,two auditoriums,a library,banquet halls,an indoor swimming pool,a badminton court and a conference hall,with a parking lot and a cafeteria.

“The LDA had to make a presentation of the revised project before the Chief Secretary on August 8,” said an LDA official.

After clearance from the Chief Secretary,a final presentation has to be made before the CM for his approval,the official added.