Did ineligible contractor construct Barapullah Nallah road?

The Central Vigilance Commission has asked PWD to clarify whether the over Rs 400 crore contract for construction of an elevated road between Sarai Kale Khan and Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium here was given to an ineligible contractor.

The Central Vigilance Commission has asked PWD to clarify whether the over Rs 400 crore contract for construction of an elevated road between Sarai Kale Khan and Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium here was given to an ineligible contractor.

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In its internal inspection report of several Commonwealth Games-related projects, the anti-corruption watchdog has asked Public Works Department (PWD) to clarify several alleged discrepancies like use of inferior quality material, procurement of construction material at unjustified rates and loopholes in planning done by the consultant for the Barapullah road project.

"The related documents submitted by DSC Ltd (which has carried out the construction work) for empanellment in PWD for works costing more than Rs 100 crore along with pre-qualification criteria, evaluation note etc. and approval of competent authority was not produced during inspection," the CVC noted in its report.

According to the Commission's report, the mandatory California Bearing Ratio (CBR) test to evaluate the mechanical strength of pavements and flaws in designing the scheme for traffic diversions were not prepared by the consultant (Tandon Consultants Pvt Ltd) appointed at the cost of over Rs 1.70 crore.

The construction of the about 4.05 km elevated road was divided into two projects. Both the packages were estimated to be of Rs 352.40 crore and given to DSC Ltd at the cost of Rs 433.71 crore.

The Commission also observed that "timeframe stipulated for each activity in the agreement was not fulfilled or not adhered to" and sought action taken or proposed against the consultant for failing to complete the construction project on time.

"A sum of Rs 43.26 lakh was paid on account of an extra item," it said in its report received in response to an RTI query.

The Barapullah Nallah stretch is likely to be opened for the public soon. The CVC has also found that the work of grade separator at Rajaram Kohli Marg intersection and Shastri Nagar intersection at East Delhi by Afcons Infrastructure Ltd was done at an inflated price.

"The subject work was technically sanctioned for over Rs 150 crore and work was awarded to the contractor for about Rs 214 crore. Reasons for huge variation may be examined by the Chief Engineer at his level and take suitable action," the report said.