Giridih municipality

Giridih, Dec. 19: The Centre wants to put Giridih on a fast-track development mode but the municipality here is taking the work forward at a snail’s pace.

The Union government plans to see Giridih developed by 2010 and has put the city under the Urban Infrastructure Development Scheme for Small and Medium Towns. But the project is three years behind schedule, despite the municipality receiving the Centre’s plans in 2004.

If the project is realised, residents of Giridih would be able to enjoy better transportation system and drinking water as well as educational facilities. The project would also ensure the development of a ring road, sewerage and drainage systems and better lighting. A ward-wise slum development programme and development of areas earmarked for industrial and educational purposes are also part of the scheme.

But the executing body, the municipality, has not completed the blueprint or a detailed project report (DPR) for the scheme. Using these reports, the municipality has to show the expenditure estimates for the development projects. The money would be provided only after the submission of the two reports. According to projections, about Rs 100 crore would be allotted for the work.

The municipality’s special officer, Binod Verma, claimed that the project would be completed on schedule despite the delay. “Giridih would soon be a developed town. We are utilising the services of four consultants to prepare the blueprint and the DPR,” he said.