Months after work, power board awaits payment

Nearly three months after the Uttar Haryana Bijli Vitran Nigam UHBVN shifted electricity poles on the Pinjore-Kalka stretch, it is still waiting for the payment of Rs 19,65,620. While officials at the Panchkula Administration said the payment will be made by the National Highways Authority of India NHAI, NHAI officials, claim they had no role to play in the whole exercise.

8220;The work on shifting the electricity poles on the Pinjore-Kalka stretch was completed in September. As many as five transformers and low tension LT lines were shifted on the stretch. Around 40 new poles were also put up after removing the old ones. We were told that the payment would be made after the work is complete,8221; said a senior official of UHBVN, requesting anonymity.

He added that despite the fact the UHBVN was assured of quick payments, no money has been made till now. 8220;The authorities were to pay Rs 19,65,620, but we have not received any payment till yet and are now planning to take up the matter with the authorities.8221;

While Rajender Kataria, Panchkula DC refused to comment on the issue, NHAI project director, Col KP Sharma said: 8220;We made it clear that the NHAI is not concerned about the Pinjore-Kalka patch as we are now involved with the Zirpakur-Pinjore bypass.8221;