Firm levels adjoining plot by mistake

“I think there was some sort of a misunderstanding in the orders given by the contractor to its sub-contractor and to labourers. They ended up levelling an adjoining plot,which is also low-lying,” said Anil Wankhede,Deputy Metropolitan Commissioner and in charge of the MMRDA’s land cell.

Though MMRDA has not penalised the contractor for the error,it has asked it to restore the plot mistakenly levelled. Both plots belong to the agency with a small drain separating them. The MMRDA has also ordered the area allotted for the casting yard to be immediately fenced to avoid any confusion in the future.

“The contractor was until now using a private plot,but was told to vacate it. So he approached MMRDA for land,” Wankhede said.

The MMRDA handed over a 4,000 square metre area near the alignment of the proposed road to the contractor about 10 days back. The adjoining plot was slightly smaller in size,he added.

“There is a mosque near the plot that has been wrongly levelled. Besides,we were worried that if the land is levelled,locals might start utilising it and then getting it vacated would be difficult,” Wankhede said.

Hyderabad-based Madhucon Projects won the contract for constructing the APLR,part of the Eastern Freeway,in April 2008 with a time limit of 24 months. The original cost of this project was Rs 148.03 crore,which was later revised to Rs 221 crore.

The project has been running behind schedule by about 20 months,but the MMRDA expects to open the road partially by May.

Madhucon Projects was unavailable for comment.