LIT awaits approval for cost-cutting contractor

08 Sep 2023 CW Team

The Atal Apartments project, marked by frequent cancellations, is now under scrutiny as officials grapple with the challenge of ensuring its success. Approximately 40 beneficiaries have not made any payments to LIT, citing their willingness to pay once construction begins and accepting any associated penalties. The fate of the project now rests in the hands of local bodies officials.

Satbhushan Sachdeva, the Superintending Engineer of LIT, stated, "The government will make the final decision, and we are ready to issue the work order. We are optimistic that the process will conclude this month. Regarding quality work, we will ensure there are no compromises on material and safety standards."

The project's total cost stands at approximately Rs 2.24 billion, with LIT estimating a minimum of three years for the completion of the flats' construction. Tenders were floated for the construction of 336 HIG (High-Income Group) and 240 MIG (Middle-Income Group) flats, along with a community centre and tower parking on 8.8 acres of land in Shaheed Karnail Singh Nagar on Pakhowal Road. Responses were received for HIG flats construction at Rs 1.25 billion and MIG flats at Rs 700 million, with the remaining facilities still awaiting responses.

The project features 12-story residential earthquake-resistant towers, offering amenities such as a swimming pool, gymnasium, green parks, clubhouse, CCTV surveillance, 24-hour water supply, table tennis rooms, a multipurpose hall, double lifts with uninterrupted power backup, video door phones in each flat, spacious balconies, a fire hydrant system, rainwater harvesting, a small commercial centre, and a separate five-story parking facility.

Ludhiana Improvement Trust (LIT) officials are in anticipation of the local bodies department's approval to finalise the contractor for the construction of Atal Apartments in Shaheed Karnail Singh Nagar. The contractor's offer is substantially lower, by at least 14.5 per cent than the fixed price, raising concerns about the project's quality. The Atal Apartments project, marked by frequent cancellations, is now under scrutiny as officials grapple with the challenge of ensuring its success. Approximately 40 beneficiaries have not made any payments to LIT, citing their willingness to pay once construction begins and accepting any associated penalties. The fate of the project now rests in the hands of local bodies officials. Satbhushan Sachdeva, the Superintending Engineer of LIT, stated, The government will make the final decision, and we are ready to issue the work order. We are optimistic that the process will conclude this month. Regarding quality work, we will ensure there are no compromises on material and safety standards. The project's total cost stands at approximately Rs 2.24 billion, with LIT estimating a minimum of three years for the completion of the flats' construction. Tenders were floated for the construction of 336 HIG (High-Income Group) and 240 MIG (Middle-Income Group) flats, along with a community centre and tower parking on 8.8 acres of land in Shaheed Karnail Singh Nagar on Pakhowal Road. Responses were received for HIG flats construction at Rs 1.25 billion and MIG flats at Rs 700 million, with the remaining facilities still awaiting responses. The project features 12-story residential earthquake-resistant towers, offering amenities such as a swimming pool, gymnasium, green parks, clubhouse, CCTV surveillance, 24-hour water supply, table tennis rooms, a multipurpose hall, double lifts with uninterrupted power backup, video door phones in each flat, spacious balconies, a fire hydrant system, rainwater harvesting, a small commercial centre, and a separate five-story parking facility.