The Hindu 31.07.2009
Corporation to terminate contract of Speck Systems?
G.V.R. Subba Rao
| Inordinate delay in GIS mapping project the trigger |
Decision likely to be taken in a couple of days
The project was initially scheduled for completion by 2010
VIJAYAWADA: The Vijayawada Municipal Corporation (VMC) is contemplating “terminating” the contract awarded to Hyderabad-based Speck Systems a year ago for preparing a Geographical Information System (GIS) map of the city, in view of enormous delay in execution of the project.
Official sources say that the corporation is not satisfied with the progress of the project in line with the targets set for its completion. Barring capturing of a few satellite images, the project has not made much progress.
The Corporation is likely to a take a decision on terminating the contract in a couple of days. The officials are considering various possibilities, such as calling for tenders once again or switching over to the SAP module.
The VMC, in January this year, thought of levying a fine of about Rs. 1 lakh on the Speck Systems for the tardy progress made in the project. The officials asked the agency to submit a revised schedule of the project.
The Speck Systems was asked to submit the pilot study report by February 18 this year. However, there was a lull thereafter. The project was initially scheduled for completion by 2010. Later, the Corporation has decided to complete the GIS mapping project before the commencement of the next decennial census in 2011.
The Corporation planned to spend nearly Rs. 1.4 crore for the proposed mapping, which is popularly known as GIS project. It asked the Speck Systems to provide colour images taken with a resolution of 0.6 metre by the QuickBird satellite.
Scientific system
The project is intended to evolve a scientific door numbering system by using the GIS mapping. The agency was asked to provide a unique and scientific door number to every property in the city.
The agency was also expected to provide door number plates to every property owner, so that people could identify houses easily.
As against the estimated 2 lakh properties in the city, 1.54 lakh properties have been assessed for the purpose of levying property tax. The Corporation had agreed to pay Rs.70 for every property that is given a door number by the Speck Systems. The VMC will also give integrated Property Tax Identification (PTID) numbers to all ratepayers and householders in the city.
These numbers will have all features covering property tax assessment, door numbers and GIS mapping. The PTID numbers would be a comprehensive exercise and is expected to bring uniformity in door numbers.
