MR. OWASIS ANWAR PECHKAR Vs. UNION OF INDIA

JUDGEMENT

(1.) The three issues on which the petitioner, appearing inperson, and Mr. Kumbhakoni, learned Advocate General for the State of Maharashtra, have addressed us today are: -

(2.) So far as (i) [supra] is concerned, Mr. Kumbhakoni while referring to a compilation submits that the contracts awarded in favour of the agencies who were entrusted with the work of rehabilitation and up-gradation of the highway between Arawali and Kante, and, Kante and Waked sections have been terminated; that fresh e-Tender has been floated on 6th September 2021 and the last date for receiving bids is 20th October 2021. He further submits that the bids will be opened on 22nd October 2021 and the revised target completion date is 31st December 2022. It is further submitted by him that between Indapur and Vadpale section, work of less than 50% is complete. Insofar as the sections between Veer and Bhogaon Khurd, and Bhogaon Khurd and Khawati are concerned, nearly 70% works have been completed. There are 4 (four) other sections where more than 90% works have been completed, i.e., from Kashedi to Parshuram Ghat, Waked to Talgaon, Talgaon to Kalmath and Kalmath to Zarap. According to him, more or less, the progress has been satisfactory in these sections.

(3.) However, compared with the figures that were presented before us on 4th July 2021, the position appears to be the same insofar as the progress of work is concerned. Mr. Kumbhakoni submits that this is due to the intervening monsoon and since the monsoon is receding now, the pace of work is expected to pick up soon.