Process of appointing consulting agency on; one application already in, civic body floats fresh tender notice to have wider choice
The 62-year-old Pune Munici-pal Corporation (PMC) has finally begin the process of appointing a consulting agency to conduct a detailed survey of the bridges in the city at a cost of Rs 25 lakh.
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The August 27 MiD DAY report on peepal saplings threatening the foundation of bridges
While one name has already come to the road department of the civic body, a second tender notice has been floated to have more choice in the selection process.u00a0The survey of bridges by experts will start towards the end of December or in early January.
Threat from roots
It may be recalled that MiD DAY had pointed out that the bridges on the Mutha river in the city were under threat because the roots of several peepal trees were damaging their foundation.
Eight of the 11 bridges on the Mutha that are maintained by the PMC are facing an acute problem because of peepal trees. The MiD DAY report had revealed that big trees were also growing on the divider ducts and posing a threat to the road foundation on these bridges.
Pravin Gedam, executive engineer (bridges), PMC, said, “In the first tendering process, we have received only one applicant, namely V C Kand. We are assessing the credentials of the applicant, and we also need to have more choice for this important work.
A second tender notice for the same has been floated a few days ago and we are expecting more names. Making an in-depth survey of all the bridges in PMC limits is a huge task and we have earmarked Rs 25 lakh for the entire work.”
Pramod Nirbhawane, additional commissioner, (roads), said, “The issue of city bridges is a long-pending one and many bridges in the city are pretty old and need to be preserved for heritage value. Nava Pul, Lakdi Pul and Sangam Pul and some others that were constructed long ago need to be revived by conducting a systematic survey.
The survey work for all these bridges is expected to get completed before the monsoon in 2013. Actual implementation of the suggestions will be done subsequently.”
Need a botanist
Dr S G Mahajan, a noted botanist, said the PMC should appoint a botanist in the expert committee to help the civic body fight unwanted growth of saplings on bridges.u00a0
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