PWD floats tenders to ensure necessary facilities for Central Forces

Kolkata: The state Public Works Department (PWD) has floated tenders for setting up necessary infrastructure at the accommodation centres of Central Forces for the upcoming phases of the Lok Sabha elections. Three phases of elections are still remaining and voting is yet to be held at 24 Lok Sabha constituencies in the state.

The department will come up with "temporary electrical installation work and other allied utility works in connection with infrastructure" at the accommodation centres, where the security forces deployed for the polls will be lodging. The temporary infrastructure is to be set up within a week.

In a series of notifications, PWD had asked for such tenders at some areas including Baruipur and Kakdwip in South 24-Parganas from agencies "with sufficient experience in such type of work". The tenders have to be submitted by April 29 for Baruipur and April 30 for Kakdwip.

Both Baruipur and Kakdwip fall under South 24-Parganas, which is going to polls in the last phase of the Lok Sabha elections on May 19. The district has the highest number of vulnerable pockets at 2,357 and is thus the most sensitive district.

"The Central Forces and polling personnel have often complained about lack of proper facilities at their accommodation centres. So, we are taking all possible measures to have all necessary infrastructure in place for the Central Forces," a senior PWD official said.

The Election Commission, which had deployed 98.8 percent Central Force coverage in the fourth phase that ended on Monday, has plans to deploy Central Forces in all the booths for the remaining three phases.

A senior official of the Commission said that the district administration has been informed and all necessary arrangements will be in place so that the Central Forces face no difficulty in lodging.