ISLAMABAD: In the wake of delays in the Rawalpindi-Islamabad Metro Bus Project due to PTI and PAT sit-ins in the federal capital, various construction companies working on the project submitted prolongation cost claims of millions of rupees.
A construction firm claimed the prolongation cost including machinery and labour paid for but unused during the delay period on the basis of extended duration of work. The technical staff claimed that it would be next to impossible to complete the mega interchange at Peshawar Morr until January 30.
Rawalpindi Commissioner Zahid Saeed said, “A separate committee representing the National Engineering Services Pakistan (Nespak), Rawalpindi Development Authority (RDA) and contractor firms has been formed, which will not only settle the prolongation claims but also work out a strategy to complete the work on most-affected Package-V of the Islamabad-section of the project.”
He chaired a meeting at the RDA office to review progress on the road scheme. He said major claim has been made by a firm Remark-Reliable, which is working on Package-V where the work has virtually been suspended for the last 75 days due to the sit-ins. He added 30 days of extensive construction work will make up for the delay. He noted Punjab Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif, who had earlier ordered the authorities to complete the work by December 28, will be requested to extend the deadline to January 28.
