PWD forbids mid-way changes to sanctioned public projects in State
| Date :30-Sep-2023 |
By Sagar Mohod
Fed up with repeated demands for mid-way variations during construction of new public buildings, the Public Works Department (PWD) has tightened the norms pertaining to alteration in detailed project report (DPR) in a bid to stop unnecessary expenditure and ensure adherence to time limit. In fact, PWD issued a GR laying down a strict approval process in case any field official wanted to incorporate drastic changes in already sanctioned building plan, post its sanction and commencement of construction. Even the norms for additional purchases of furniture and other required articles will now require a written approvals from top most bosses of respective departments. PWD is the mother organisation for undertaking all construction of new buildings for various State Government departments. It came to notice of PWD officials that when substantial portion of construction is done with, the officials of the department that has sanctioned the project seeks to incorporate additional requirements in light of emergence of new thinking.
In such circumstances, often the PWD has noted that effecting the changes would mean increasing the FSI. In most cases, it goes beyond the sanctioned limit, that complicates the matter by the time the project is ready for inauguration. Many a time, a department wants to add extra floors in an under construction building, and sometimes the specifications suggested require further higher standards, which complicates the matter for the executing agency, the PWD. Taking note of the practice and to clamp down on such extravagance, an empowered committee of Secretaries discussed the matter threadbare and instructions were issued to Regional Officers to refrain from such practices. The said letter was issued on December 13, 2022, hoping that it would ensure course correction. However even after that when Government officials continue to violate the guidelines, now the GR with comprehensive orders was issued. First of all in case Type Plan and one that is sanctioned by empowered committee if needed change then for the same, written permission from scrutiny committee would be required. However when carrying out changes, request for change in FSI, specification of building material and sanctioned administrative cost of project should not be tinkered with.
Further in case the parent department is desirous of changes that would lead to rise in project cost and time limit for completion, then same should have written concurrence from either Secretary/Principal Secretary/Additional Chief Secretary. Similarly, PWD should convey to the concerned department about rise in cost of project in case changes are to be incorporated and only after consent of latter the required construction should be done. Also till re-permission is not received from Empowered Committee to demand for substantial changes in sanction plans and design, PWD should not go ahead. Finally, the GR also directed field officials of PWD to float single bid for all incorporated items mentioned in administrative sanction and forbid division of works. And in case works are needed to be divided in smaller components, then a proposal should be forwarded to State Government for permission. A review at highest level revealed that Government projects failed to meet the deadline and cost escalation further results in arresting the speed of construction. The new GR hopefully curb mid-way changes and ensure timely completion of public interest projects so that it benefit reaches the masses in time.