See Page 18, Times of India - December 26,2009, SOUTH WESTERN RAILWAY (ROB-WFD-57R)
LINK FOR THE Same on the epaper:
I think this is the balance work thats needs to finish the flyover and mentions the time period as 4 months from Jan end.(Think thats when the tenders get awarded).I think the pressure from the work group has helped.
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Comments
one hopes so, but - -
Looks like it, alright. But, what is surprising are
1) Was this major bit left out of the original tender?
2) If it had indeed been included, which is more likely, what has caused the re-tendering now?
3) Who is responsible for this inordinate delay, and consequent costs?
4) Why were the people concerned sleeping over it, till the public started mounting pressure?
5) Has the Railways, and other bodies involved, learnt any lessons?
6) And, most importantly, why are the Railways (as also the other concerned bodies) not giving updates on the project, on their own?
Well, going by the experience, the re-tendering doesn't mean the job will be over in the next four months allocated for completion. Perhaps the team here needs to closely monitor the progress to ensure that there are no further hold-ups.
Both Good and Bad news
This retendering appears to be both Good and Bad. Good in the sense that work has restarted which was dead for last 6-8 months. But bad in the sense that it may be more delayed than 4 months from Jan end stipulated in tender period.
whats next ?
Initially thoughts were to wait till Jan 19 and after that monitor the progress. But on second thoughts, this tender is NO assurity of flyover completion but to another 1+4 months delay under best case.
I think group should continue as before instead of waiting and monitoring.
Two questions that authorties needs to answer are:
1)Why Mr Agarwal gave a 31dec as completion of flyover ?
2)When will it complete ?
-Thanks
-Thanks
Here is that tender
Since the epaper link may not work, this is what Raghu is talking about.
Plan of Action
Happy New YEar to all.
So what is the next plan of action on this ROB? Do we need to meet with some officials or drop email to some other officials?
Regds,
manish
Additional work
It is surprising to see that the value of the tender is quoted as close to Rs. 3.12 crores which means it is quite a major work pending. It is not clear what the scope of work for this tender is. Looking at the project duration of 4 months, assuming further delays, there is no way the bridge will be ready before next rains in June.
Any suggestions to speed up the project??
Pressure through RTI?
One suggestion would be the following
1. Fire off an RTI later this month suitably drafted which asks for - Name and address of contractor, All milestones of new project and dates of completion, detailed budget split for various phases of completion (just for the heck of it) and contact information of the officer who can provide updates
2. At one month intervals, fire off additional RTIs (if required) asking for status updates on each of the milestones as of a certain date and reasons for any delays.
3. That should apply some pressure. Plus it gives us detailed documented evidence which will be informational and will have other uses in the future,
What say?
mbhatia, others, meet for RTI?
As Sanjayv suggests,shall we file at least 1 RTI to get started. We will repeat the RTI on 1st of every month. That should keep the pressure.
Who will we mail the RTI to? SWR only?
Also - which MLA's constituency does the bridge fall in? If another person can come forward o help, I can share the onus of calling around to arrange a meeting.
Lets meet at the site itself - Jan 16th morning?
I prefer Saturday Jan 16th morning. But if at least 3-4 can meet today evening itself (or, a weekday evening 5.30 PM types), can meet and do this:
RTI app can be finalized on the website itself via these posts and comments.
Is this tender still open?
I cannot seem to find it on the tender websites.
Meet
Guys,
Let us meet on 16th Jan at around 11:00 AM at the flyover site itself. I can meet before that to discuss the RTI. Since I have never done filed RTI before so we if someone who is already aware of the process can help then it will be great.
Let us pump up the pressure so that this issues doesn't go to backburner again.
Regds,
manish
okay, let us meet in person - Jan 16
I will be there. I am on a low speed line rt now, can someone post an "event" for this meeting please.
I posted an event for you SB
Not sure if I can commit to come on Sat yet. But will try my best.
Citizen matters article on Whitefield ROB
Vaishnavi very kindly posted the link to a citizen matters article on the topic. I am adding a link here for cross referencing here.
Saturday meeting
Hi,
Are we meeting this saturday and at what time? How many confimed attendees are there?
Regds,
Manish
Manish, event has been posted
Hi Manish,
There is an event that has been posted. As far as I know, there are three confirmed attendees, including you. Others are Pranav aka Silkboard and PSA sir. I am a maybe. Time, as agreed is 11 am.
Event notice is here.
11 am, Kadugodi bus stand
Not sure if all saw the event posted separately. Looks like 3-4 of us are going to be there. See you all at 11 AM, Kadugodi bus stand.
Meet photos
SB and I met up near the bridge and did a walk about. Here is a google map along with some placemarks and photos attached to the placemarks. View the placemarks in the map to see links to photos. Interesting, this is a tiny 2 lane bridge! I bet it will get choked once it finally opens.
From all the Citizen matters articles, it looks like essentially the new tender is meant to sort the remaining work. The key pieces is to get the girder certified, drop it in place, Finish the road work on the approach as well as road on the bridge.
The key question is how to track the progress of the new project. Citizen matters is certainly on that project. We can add our voices to keep the pressure on. More on an RTI approach in the next post.
View Kadugodi
RTI questions for the bridge
My first cut. Please feel free to edit/modify/comment
1. Who is the new contractor assigned to finish the Kadugodi ROB (Provide location, Tender number etc.). What is their address and contact information?
2. What is the new schedule for completion of the project with Milestones and a scheduled date of completion of each milestone
3. Please provide contact information of official in the railways who can provide us status updates on this project.
The one thing I am not clear about is where to file the RTI. SWR website has a list of PIOs, but no clear description of the process to file. I am worried as to getting stuck in procedural wrangles on whether we filed correctly.
The Indian Railways website has a detailed description of RTI filing along with e-tracking! See the link.
RTI questions for the bridge
Hi All,
The questions posted by Sanjay seems to address majority of open items.
We need to also find out the penalty rules to be applied if project is not completed in time and absolute max time it will take. Because all tenders have time for completion and then the max time to which it can be stretched with light penalty clauses.
Also need to find out details on the width and reasoning behind it being such a narrow bridge.
When I was talking to SWR PIO 3 weeks back he was asking for RTI # based on which he will disclose information.
Regds,
manish
Citizen matter Updates
The link to tender is below:
http://tenders.gov.in/innerpage.asp?choice=tc5&tid=karn266661&work=1
The tender will be opened tomorrow at 3:30 PM.
As per new information posted on Citizen matter :
18-Jan, 09 AM] Subramaniam Vincent
A reader Narayanan has posted this comment on our earlier Nov 2009 article on 'Second life for Whitefield Bridge'
[18-Jan, 08 AM] Narayanan
Inidan Railways has given a new tender for Rs.Rs 3,12,08,698/- for the same. From the tender it looks like they have dropped the idea of gridder and are going in for a RCC structure. I think we cannot expect a new completion date in anytime less than 1 year.
concrete bridge?
I quickly went through the tender documents. The cost was revised as per a corrigendum to 2,86,92,196/-
It is still a steel bridge for the main span over the railway line, so there is no change in design.
The SWR PIO needs an RTI# to disclose information? What new rule is this? The government is supposed to release information to the public. The RTI is just a formal route for when one has to assert legal rights!
Manish - can you find out from the SWR PIO exactly how and where to file this RTI? Do we file it with IR or SWR? In Whose name should the Rs 10/- DD/postal order be drawn. What address should it be sent to? I have looked all over online, but there is no info on this part.
The reason for asking is that the Indian railways website has explicit instruction for directly filing it in Delhi and all kinds of dire warnings to use the right address and right beneficiary of the Postal order in order for the RTI to be accepted (avoiding delays). If we send it to Delhi, it will take a while for the file to come to the concerned department.
@Sanjayv, Here is RTI applying Info for SWR!
Sanjay,
Address your RTI application to:
Shri. A.Balachandar
CPRO & PIO,
H.Q. Office, S.W. Railway
Hubli-580023
Make the Post Order / Demand Draft for Rs.10/- Payable to
“Pay and Accounts Officer, Railway Board”.
Link for further Information on Indian Railways RTI:
http://www.rti.railnet.gov.in/default.asp
Thanks Syed
I had gone through the RTI website, but missed this address.
Any news on Tender?
Gentlemen,
Any news on the Tender?
Wondering, with monsoon too stepping in the next 4 months, when are we going to see the gap bridged?
Passing through this junction everyday reminds me of Sandra Bullock / K Reeves of Speed movie! Only they can use the bridge in the current condition !!
Regards....Surya
Any Updates
Hi Sanjay/Pranav,
Do you have any updates on tender and to whom it has been allocated? This was supposed to be opened on 19th Jan. Do we need to file RTI for this information also?
This bridge is mentioned in TOI today in mahadevpura BBMP limits as one of the pain points in otherwise well developed Mahadevapura and as per that article construction will start in Feb after tender allocation.
Regds,
Manish
No bidders ?
HI,
I am not able to search this tender any more. Earlier it use to appear under Tender By location with search key 'whitefield'.
However the link still works
http://tenders.gov.in/innerpage.asp?choice=tc5&tid=karn266661&work=1
I am guessing there were no bidders !!
Thanks !
-Thanks
Steel Girders for Kadugodi Flyover ?
A few days back, I saw a long trailer truck, loaded with two long, reinforced steel girders, parked at BEML gate (off Suranjandas road). I asked the driver what these were & he wasn't sure, but had stated that he had to deliver it at whitefield at late night (when traffic was low). He had stated that directions /address were with some official who would be escorting him there.
I think these were for the Kadugodi flyover. Can anyone confirm if the steel beams (painted yellow) have arrived at the site & are being put in place overhead, across the tracks ?
Pranav, can you file an RTI
Hi Pranav,
As discussed earlier, can you file the RTI for this? Here is a text and the place where I think we should file. I think we should file directly to the Railway board in New Delhi. Even if we do send to SWR, I think the application is sent to New Delhi for creating a file and scanning into their system.
So here goes.
To
Chief Public Information Officer, Railway Board
No. 5, RTI Cell, Rail Bhavan, Rafi Marg
New Delhi 110 001
Dear Sir/Madam,
This is with regards to the rail over bridge (ROB) being built at Kadugodi near Bangalore at LC No. 132 near Whitefield Railway Station. The ROB work is currently stalled. A new open tender for the balance work was issued by SWR on 23/12/2009. The tender notice number is CAO/CN/BNC/66/09
Kindly provide the following details on this project
1. Who is the new contractor assigned to finish the Kadugodi ROB? What is their address and contact information?
2. What is the new schedule for completion of the project with detailed milestones and a scheduled date of completion of each milestone.
3. Can you provide contact information of an official in the railways who can provide periodic status updates on this project to the affected public without having to file fresh RTI requests..
Yours sincerely,
XXX (Name and address)
Please make payment of Rs. 10/- payable to "Pay and Accounts Officer, Railway Board, New Delhi"
Approximately one week after sending application, we should be able to get a case number to access information online.
I am avoiding the width of the flyover question here so that we do not have un-necessary delay in a reply. It may be a good idea to spend another 10Rs and file a separate RTI for that question. In all probability, they will refer us back to the BBMP.
PS: FAQ for filing - railways link here.
Re: STEEL GIRDERS FOR KADUGODI FLYOVER ?
Naveen,
Don't see any thing new on either side of the railway tracks?!
Neither there seems to be any news on the tender :(
What about celebrating 5th anniv of the railway bridge @ Kadugodi??
Regards...Surya
Kadugodi - I saw it too
I noticed the same at Kadugodi whilst en-route to chennai & back by train. BTW, there are umpteen such bridges under construction in chennai & on the outskirts - noticed this during my visit there. Most of them have the framework ready till the tracks, but the spans (over the rail tracks) are missing & works are pending.
I guess the job requires some specialization as the unsupported spans are long - strength /safety might be the concern, but this should have been known to them even before venturing out to commence the job.
RTI - done
RTI is ready, will drop it in mailbox today.
5th Anniv of Rail Brodge - good idea!
5th anniv of Railway Bridge is a good idea. Can do this Gandhigiri style. May be hire a mobile music band and celebrate right at the railway crossing.
How many are game? Someone will have to take up the event planning responsibilities as I am tied up in Feb for couple of other Praja projects.
Hard to believe
Guys,
I saw a dozen of people standing right at top of bridge. They were holding large piece of paper which liked a 'plan' & discussing....!
Somehow pressure needs to maintained....
-Thanks
Contract details not posted yet (Jan 2010 data)
The SWR railway lists the contracts awarded monthly. The Kadugodi ROB is not listed in the latest list. Maybe we'll know more by the same time next month.
See link here.
Kadugodi ROB - Ample space for support pillars
There is ample space between two tracks in the middle for erecting support pillars (there are a total of six tracks). In fact, the space is equivalent to the width of a platform at Whitefield station (see pictures below). Wonder why SWR has been working with the idea of an unsupported span of 42m length. Any thoughts on this ?
Let us all meet on the unconstructed Bridge and do a demo
Dear All,
Luckily found this link and am happy to see that people are fighting and I wanted to do something about it as well.I stay in Golden Blossom and also go through this nightmare in and out.With in Blossoms we where thinking of go to all the apartments on this side and talking to the people about this idea that we have.Let us have a darna with kids .We need to have 100-150 kids and of course adults with them .We can have a demonstration on both the sides of the unconstructed brigde and we will in advance inform media ,police.We will go with a plan to make it grand to have maximum attention.If you guys this it is a good idea then we can work on it.
Regards
vandana
why not try dharna
Hi Vandana, All,
Flyover matter has cooled off unlike few months back. Dharna seems to be the only option available with us.
Anyone has any ideas to co-ordinate and execute this ?
Thanks,
Aditya
-Thanks
Let us have one and Gloden Blossom will try to intiate it
Dear All,
We are open to doing this,we are not going to cause inconvenience to already suffering people,we will do it on the unconstructed ramps.We will make sure media is there and also take police permission.We need to meet and form an action plan for this we need help and support from other associations in the area.If people are ok with this idea,we are willing to take the lead to plan
Regards
dharna route
@ Vandana - Do organise it. You can expect fair amount of support from the PRAJA community. But, to sustain it, the local community has to be in the lead.
All the best.
More can join
Hi,
Please inform more of us at surakshaahomes_blr@yahoogroups.com.
Thanks,
Aditya.
adityaselect@gmail.com
-Thanks
Looks like work has restarted
Looks like the work has restarted on the bridge. Saw some welding work going on for the girders at the site next to the veterinary hospital close to the railway track. Another person who resides in our apartment also observed this and he even got the information that the work is awarded to some Balaji constructions.
I am not sure if this is the same, but their web site lists that one of their specialities is steel fabrication.
Any updates on the RTI?
SB,
Any updates on the RTI? Did you get a tracking number for it to check status online? Just curious.
progress!!
Well, its bad news and good news!
Bad news: Coming from work @ 10:30 pm got stuck at the railway gate for about 20 mins.
Good news: I could see, people working at the site (next to the police station)! At that time, had to resist the urge to get off the car and go and talk to them! Who knows, just as I step out, the gate could be opened and wake up the whole neighborhood with some 10 - 20 vehicles honking!
Looks like, this time, they are serious about finishing at last!!
Regards...Surya
contract awarded?
According to Citizen matters comments, the contract has been awarded to a firm called KPR. Details awaited.
4months dealline
I have heard from builder that flyover would finish by June July ! Isnt it super :-)
Lot of work seems to be going on....hope it continues... lets keep our fingers crossed !
Cheers.....(finally)
Aditya
-Thanks
Latest Status
Aditya,
Thanks for sharing the good news.
Could you please update if the work is still progressing with the same pace. I live in US and heard from one of my real estate agent that the it has again stopped. He was also saying that they are discussing to demolish the flyover and start it all over again. Hopefully, this is just a rumour.
Thanks,
Venkatesh
Jun 1st 2010 it must finish
@Venkatesh
As per this recent citizen matter article -> Citizen matters Info , the realistic deadline is June 1st 2010. Maybe someone on the ground can corroborate this info.
Moi Blog -> kelarappakeli.blogspot.com/
"demolish the flyover and
"demolish the flyover and start it all over again" - this is not true. Infact the work on the bridge is going on at a very brisk pace. This time the June/July deadline seems realistic. They have erected some support pillars between the tracks which I believe are for the girders and will be removed after they are installed. In fact while I was driving by the bridge at around 3 am yesterday the work was going on and this is encouraging.
Flyover completion will take much longer
Dear All,
From last few weeks there is no visible progress & it looks like the completion date of june/july will not be met.
We should again start over:
1)Mail to news papers
2)Exact completion date from RTI
3)A protest
Thanks !
-Thanks
FLYOVER WORK IS IN PROGRESS
Hi !, Flyover work is in progress. They are laying cross bars on the girder. Thats takes time since the joints need top be strong and tested to bear the load of concrete and vehicles later on. 1st June is not possible but looks like should be over in another 2-3 months, provided funds keep flowing.. Lets keep our fingers crossed :-) Cheers ! ~ Sudeep