Ludhiana: Despite mounting pressure from ruling party MLAs to expedite infrastructure projects, Ludhiana Municipal Corporation (MC) officials are struggling to launch critical development works under a Rs 135.85 crore special assistance scheme from the Centre. With a strict completion deadline of March 31 fast approaching, not a single project has commenced on the ground.The scheme offers a 50-year interest-free loan to urban local bodies, with the caveat that funds are released only upon the submission of utilisation certificates post-completion. Sources indicate that a combination of departmental delays and fierce “tussles” among contractors over tender allotments has paralysed progress. Of the 20 works tendered, work orders have been issued for only eight. While officials claim seven more will be issued shortly, five remain in limbo as the department seeks legal counsel following allegations that officials favored “blue-eyed” contractors.North constituency gets lion’s shareThe delay leaves residents facing deteriorating road conditions, as the MC lacks the independent funds required for large-scale reconstruction. While MLAs have competed to include the maximum number of roads from their constituencies in the scheme, the North constituency has emerged as the primary beneficiary, allotted Rs 2 crore of the total budget, leaving Rs 65 crore for the remainder of the city.Internal hurdles also include a federal condition requiring each proposed work to exceed Rs 5 crore. Further, the ongoing 24×7 surface water supply project complicates matters; officials noted that many areas earmarked for roadwork are currently being dug up. “We must ensure newly constructed roads are not immediately destroyed for pipe-laying,” an official stated, though he maintained that contractors could be pushed to finish by month-end if work starts now.Superintending engineer Sham Lal Gupta admitted to the delays but remained optimistic. “We are resolving the issues as quickly as possible and will aim to meet the March 31 deadline,” Gupta said. However, with only one month remaining, the civic body faces a daunting task to utilise the massive grant before it expires.
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