(a) the details of the road over-bridges in Tamil Nadu under construction;
(b) the total expenditure incurred on these bridges so far;
(c) whether construction work on some of the bridges is lagging behind the time schedule;
(d) if so, the reasons therefor; and
(e) the steps taken by the Railways to expedite the completion of these bridges?
MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS( SHRI R. VELU)
(a): At present 108 works are sanctioned on cost sharing basis, physical works at 20 sites is going on.25 more works have
also been included in the Works Programme of 2008-09.4 works of ROBs (Road over Bridges) have been completed during the year
2007.
(b): An expenditure of Rs. 21 crores have been incurred during 2007-08 (upto February.2008).
(c): Yes Sir.At 7 sites the construction works is lagging behind the time schedule.
(d): Reasons for delay are mainly
(i) delay in arriving at a general consensus on the demand by local public and technical requirements of various Government
Agencies involved.
(ii) Contractual problem due to escalation in prices of construction material.
(e): Changes in designs and methods like adoption of composite girders (steel & concrete) launching thereof (composite or
PSC) instead of cast-in-situ etc, taking up of more numbers of works simultaneously in a section, calling of mega tenders
clubbing several ROB works in each tender, in addition to chasing State Govt for early approval of General Arrangement
Drawing, acquisition of land required for approaches and obtaining Estimates of approaches etc, are the steps being taken
by the Railways to expedite construction of these works.