Visakhapatnam: Stanpower issued termination notice

Visakhapatnam: As the much-needed project to install CCTV cameras and smart signal points at all the major traffic junctions in the city is yet to be completed, the city police and GVMC authorities are chalking out plans to scrap the tripartite agreement (police-GVMC and Stan Power private firm) and to invite fresh tenders to expedite the works.

Hyderabad-based Stanpower had begun works on installation of CCTV cameras and modern traffic signals at 94 major junctions in the city four years ago (in 2013) on Build Operate and Transfer (BOT) basis  but completed only 40 per cent of the project. Sources said that the GVMC has served a letter of termination of the tripartite agreement to Stanpower citing various reasons and the contractor has approached the HC of AP and Telangana to get it quashed. The court's hearing is scheduled on July 9.

The smart signal system project is in uncertainty for various reasons. The GVMC will go for a re-tender process for the project if the court gives judgement in favour of the GVMC. The re-tendering process includes calling for fresh tenders and if the court orders in favour of Stanpower, the conflict between the contractor and GVMC will deepen.

A top official of the GVMC said it will take up the installation of CCTV cameras and smart signals project with funds sanctioned towards Smart City. But the future of the project depends on the court order, he added. He said the prime reason behind serving the termination notice was the inordinate delay in works.  

ADCP (Traffic) K. Mahendra Patrudu said once the project is completed, police will monitor traffic at all the major junctions in the city from the command and control centre and that it will also help in nabbing the repeated traffic offenders. However, the representatives of Stanpower maintained that the works got delayed as the GVMC and the city police had not co-operated with them and also due to Cyclone Hudhud that damaged several poles and equipment.