MCD to be held responsible if delay in abattoir construction:SC

New Delhi, Mar 7 (UNI) The Supreme Court today said the MCD officials monitoring the ongoing setting up of a modernised abattoir at Ghazipur in East Delhi shall be hauled up for contempt of court if the work was not progressing as per schedule.

A three-judge bench comprising Mr Justice Ashok Bhan, Mr S B Sinha and Mr Justice A K Mathur also directed the MCD to release the payment of Rs 19.38 crores to m/s Food Processing Equipment Company within three days.

The MCD shall also place the order with the same company for the shipment of machinery already awaiting shipment for remaining portion of the plant, the court ordered adding the civil contractor shall immediately start the work to facilitate the installation of the machinery for making the project operational.

The MCD has undertaken to pay for civil and electrical work.

The court adjourning the hearing till March 23 also warned the civic body saying ''We will take over the management if need be.'' The estimated cost of the plant and machinery is Rs 35 crore.

Earlier, counsel for MCD Madhu Tevatia told the court that the payment of the agreement amount was subject to the satisfaction of the MCD with the functioning of the project to be installed by the company.

The bank guarantee worth Rs 10.22 crore is to be revalidated within seven days by the MCD.

The modernised slaughter house at Ghazipur is to replace the outdated one situated in the congested area of Idgah in the walled city.

There has been tremendous outcry for closure of this abattoir at Idgah as the conditions in the area have become totally unhygienic.

UNI AKS/SC SK DS1300