Saptashringi trolley misses deadline

NASHIK: The funicular trolley — a showcase project of the public works department (PWD) coming up at Saptashrungi hills — has overshot the deadline by well over four years with only 60% of the work being completed.
Approved by the state government and inaugurated in 2009, the trolley will be of much benefit to the pilgrims wanting to visit the shrine of goddess Saptashringi but cannot climb up all the 557 steps from the base of the temple.
The shrine is located on the cliff of the Saptashringi hills at Vani in Dindori taluka — around 65 km from Nashik city. Once the pilgrims reach the hill by private vehicles or state transport buses, they have to climb the 557 steps that are extremely steep. Once operational, the trolley will benefit the elderly the most. But given the current pace of work, the facility is unlikely to be ready before December.
"The project began in 2009 and was inaugurated by then district guardian minister Chhagan Bhujbal. But the work has been delayed for various reasons, including handing of land by the forest department," a senior PWD officer said.
The Rs 31.40-crore project is being carried out on a built operate and transfer (BOT) basis with the contractor being entrusted with its operation for the next 20 years.
"The trolley had to be operational by now. But the work has been delayed. Though the government is not spending anything on the construction and operation, the contractor will get the extension in the concessionaire period because the work has been delayed and the cost has escalated," the officer said.