Civic Problems In Bihar

A Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation report on the status of Central governments 897 infrastructure projects worth Rs 3,59,451 crores, surveyed between July and September 2007, shows that the maximum number of proj- ects delayed was in road transport followed by railways and power. The Railways ministry witnessed the maximum increase of 53 per cent in project costs because of delays.

As on September 30, 2007, the projects witnessed cost overruns of 15.32 per cent, thereby increasing the cost by Rs 24,670 crore, says the report. The reasons given for huge cost overrun were an exponential increase in the cost of raw material such as cement and steel.

The maximum number of delayed projects was in the road construction sector on various national highways under the National Highway Authority of India.

In Delhi, the record of the NHAI is very poor, says the report. After a delay in the Delhi-Gurgoan expressway, the widening of GT Karnal road has not been completed five years after the original date of commissioning in April 2003. Till September 2007 only 37 per cent of the work has been completed with a cost escalation of Rs 98 crore.

Lalitha Kumar, Additional Secretary in the Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation says the escalation of cost on account of delays can be minimised but the government cannot do much about cost overruns owing to general inflation.

The report, however points out that the government's performance on delayed project has, in fact, improved over the past 16 years. As against 60 per cent projects being behind schedule on March 1994, the percentage has fallen to about 36 per cent in 2007.

In the state capital, most private schools declared holiday in view of the shutdown. Movement of vehicles was disrupted as bandh supporters blocked Mahatma Gandhi Bridge, the vital link between north and south Bihar, reports said.

A large number of bandh supporters descended on the streets of the capital blocking traffic at several places including the busy Dakbungalow road crossing.

Brought from remote villages of Bihar in a display of political strength for the RJD chief and Railway Minister Lalu Prasad Yadav, the visitors appeared to be more interested in sightseeing that included a dip in the Ganges, scaling of the Gol Ghar, taking an elevator ride in a multi-storied building, a trip to the Patna Museum, visiting sprawling shopping centers, and the must-see Bollywood movies in Patna theaters.

That comes from the horse's mouth. Patna Telephones' principal general manager (PGM) V K Mahendra has cautioned BSNL subscribers against keeping their phones unlocked. "Make it a habit to use the dynamic lock system when your phone is not in use," he said in response to a query about increasing incidence of cross connections and dead phone lines getting restored without complaints.

According to an official of BSNL, Patna Telephones, around 150 phones went dead following cutting of cables near Circuit House by private contractor Tantiya, which has been engaged in road construction/widening work by the state government. Due to this cable cut, the phones of Patna High Court, which is at present closed on account of Puja vacation, Bihar State Bar Council, a posh hotel and many VIPs went out of order.

Unknown thieves cut and stole 16-metre long cable near Kurji More snapping the link of around 200 phones. A couple of days back, the thieves had stolen cable from the adjacent Digha locality near Don Bosco School.

"With fields still under water, people are left with no work, no money and no food. As the rains continue to pour, it will take some time for the waters to recede. Food security is the prime need of the hour," said Jacinth Logun, World Vision's manager in charge of the flood relief. "Our response is specially focused on the vulnerable population in terms of flooding and poverty," he said.

Not only the low-lying areas like Kankerbagh, Machhuatoli, Dariyapur Gola and Rajendra Nagar, the situation was no less pathetic even on the roads like Fraser Road, Exhibition Road, Nala Road and Boring Road, hitherto not infamous for waterlogging.

"I attempted to move out, but water accumulation near the Dak Bungalow square did not allow me,"rued Sachin Chandra whose flat is just a stone's throw away from this busy square.

A R Sinha, DGP, Bihar, reviewed police preparedness in the wake of the bandh call. Suspecting a Maoist plan to avenge the recent death of Nathun Kahar, one of their area commanders of Konch, in police custody in Gaya, the police here has been put on a high alert.

Energy Minister Bijendra Prasad Yaday said they had approached the Power Grid Corporation of India Ltd, National Thermal Power Corporation and the army to end the crisis.

In the dark
*The blackout led to long queues at water pumps across the state. People bought water for up to Rs 12 a bucket. Residents (in picture) of P&T Colony in Patna line up for water

*Rail traffic on the Grand Chord line between Kolkata and New Delhi has been paralysed

*Important trains like the Ranchi-New Delhi Rajdhani and HowrahNew Delhi Raidhani were delayed for hours

*Hospitals said they had to reschedule surgeries

*The Power Grid Corporation of India Ltd, National Thermal Power Corporation and army have been approached to end the crisis

The resultant water shortage and hospital emergencies prompted the high court to summon the "responsible officers" of the government and BSEB to be apprised of the steps be- ing taken on the strike. It asked for a status report by evening and summoned the leaders of 14 power worker unions on Wednesday

In a major policy shift, private companies have been invited to take over the job of keeping the city clean. To begin with about 10 municipal wards would be handed over to these companies. But gradually, cleaning in all areas that fall under PMC would be outsourced.

On Tuesday, a meeting between private bidders and PMC top officials was held. Speaking to TOI, PMC deputy chief executive officer Kamla Kant Rai said: "The bidders have been told that they would have to work out the cost of keeping designated areas clean.

And about 50 per cent of this cost would be paid by the PMC." The remaining would have to be shelled out by residents.

"Transformation is taking place in Bihar. My first and uppermost priority is to improve the law and order and speed up the development", Kumar told reporters during his maiden visit to the divisional headquarters here after becoming chief minister.

He laid stress on effecting complete change in the existing work culture.

New sugar mills would be opened in place of almost 'dead ones' in the state and agro-based industries would be set up, he said.

Expressing concern over detection of some polio cases in the state, Kumar said effective steps were being taken to further intensify the drive to free Bihar from recurrence of polio cases.

Kumar said the state government had chalked out an amibitious plan for ensuring procurement of 15 lakh tonnes of paddy and rice this year for which the state food corporation, Biscomaun, Food Corporation of India, NAFED and other cooperatives would be made 'more active.

On Saturday, the PRDA pulled down major chunks of two structures, one residential and one commercial, in the New Bypass Road area and Patel Nagar.

PRDA vice-chairman Mihir Kumar Singh said, "We have prepared a list of unauthorised structures. Most of them have certain illegal portions that will be pulled down."

INDIA METEOROLOGICAL DEPARTMENT

During last 24 hours, monsoon rainfall activity remained subdued over most parts of the country as break monsoon conditions continue to prevail with the monsoon trough remaining close to foot hills of Himalayas. This condition is likely to prevail with scattered moderate rainfall over North eastern states and Sub-Himalayan West Bengal, Sikkim and south peninsular India for next two days.

The association has also appealed to the bandh supporters not to force the closure of such schools where examinations are going on.

Medical services, water and electric supply have been kept out of the purview of the Bihar bandh called by CPI, CPI-ML (Liberation), Forward Bloc, RSP and Socialist Unity Centre of India.

Officials at flood control room set up by the state water resources department said around 2.50 lakh cusec water was discharged in Gandak on Saturday due to incessant rains in its catchment areas in upper Nepal.

Swirling waters of the river overflowed its embankment in a stretch of 15 to 20 metres at Pathara in Gopalganj district flooding more than 15 villages.

Hundreds of stray dogs are to be fed these poisoned rasgullas - a popular white sweet dunked in syrup - to rid the Bihar capital of this menace.

"The dogs would be offered the poisoned sweets at midnight, so they can die peacefully in sleep," said an official of the PMC. "It is an easier way to exterminate them than shooting."

"We have decided to float a tender to get rid of pigs," said KP Ramaiah, Patna Municipal Corporation (PMC) commissioner.

Ridding the capital of the porcine menace is a challenge and the new head of Patna's civic body is determined to take it on.

"We will hand over the task of removing pigs to an expert hand after realising that it is hard to do the job ourselves," Ramaiah said.

"The presence of stray pigs on roads and streets mars the impression of a city, so they have to go," he said.