30 roads would be re-laid soon
The Coimbatore Corporation seems to have succeeded in a major struggle to get road re-laying works started across the city. The works had been not been taken up as contractors refused to even submit tenders because of low rates. They had demanded 5 per cent more than the rates offered by the Government, citing rising costs of construction materials.Mayor R. Venkatachalam said on Wednesday that 30 roads would be re-laid soon. A pavement and a bridge each would be built on two others (see infographics). He said 30 roads were to be re-laid and a pavement and a bridge constructed at a total outlay of Rs. 26 crore. The Government had sanctioned a loan of Rs. 13.50 crore under the road sector. The rest of the cost would be met by the Corporation from its General Fund, the Mayor said. "Our aim is to complete these works before the onset of monsoon in June as there is demand from the public for good roads before the rain comes," the Mayor said.The Corporation has come in for severe criticism over the poor condition of roads across the city.While some of the roads have already been taken up for repairs, a majority of the stretches in the city could not be taken up for some months because the contractors were not agreeing to the existing rates. "Now that we have got the approval of the Government for offering higher rates, a five per cent excess margin over the mentioned outlay for each work will be provided. This will have to be placed in the Corporation Council for its approval," he said.The Mayor sounded optimistic of the works being cleared as councillors themselves were sore over the condition of roads and complained of public pressure on them for repairs.
