PRAYAGRAJ, Nov. 14 -- Taking a strong stand on delays and negligence in preparations for Magh Mela-2027, divisional commissioner Lokesh M directed officials to impose a penalty of around Rs.5.50 crore on the executing agency for a 15-month delay in constructing a 32 million litres per day (MLD) main pumping station near Amitabh Bachchan Pulia under the Salori sewage treatment plant (STP) project. The penalty, amounting to 5% of the project cost, will be imposed on M/s HNB Maharashtra. The divisional commissioner also set December 20 as the deadline for completing construction and starting its trial run. The divisional commissioner inspected the ongoing construction work on Friday along with municipal commissioner Sai Teja and Ganga Pollution Control Project in-charge Surendra Parmar. The pumping station was scheduled for completion by August 2025, but the work remains unfinished even after a 15-month delay. Expressing displeasure over the delay, he directed the project manager to initiate action to impose the penalty in accordance with the terms and conditions of the contract. Later, the divisional commissioner inspected the coastal road constructed near Nagvasuki temple during Maha Kumbh-2025 and the municipal corporation's garbage collection and transfer station at Saidabad. The divisional commissioner said sewerage, sanitation and waste disposal arrangements must be streamlined well in advance of Magh Mela. He made it clear that negligence at any level in these preparations would not be tolerated....