Irfan Tramboo
Srinagar, Mar 1: Throwing the rules and regulations to the wind, R&B has allowed the use of material not in line with the standards in the construction of a link-road in north Kashmir’s Baramulla district.
The road in Shalimar Colony of Kanispora area was constructed after spending at least one crore rupees. The road could not stand for more than one month and developed signs of having been constructed with the sub-standard material.
The total cost of the work that was undertaken was Rs 95.10 lakh, out of which around Rs 80 lakh have been released to the contractor who has carried out the work, however, road stands damaged and wears a dilapidated look with no action taken by the district administration against the contractor as well as the officials in the R&B so far.
The work of constructing the road-2 kilometres in length-including the drainage was undertaken by the R&B, Baramulla in August last year, and it started wearing out immediately in September.
The work was carried out under languishing projects and no official from the R&B bothered to carry out inspection of the spot to ensure that the materials were being used as per the rules and regulations.
As per rules, the concerned Assistant Executive Engineer (AEE) has to carry out the inspection of the works-which as per the locals of the area was never carried out.
“We called the concerned AEE even when the 3rd grade material was being used in the works, but there was no response from them,” the locals said.
Siraj Ud Din Salam, a local resident who has been following the issue, is continuously being denied the information which he has been seeking under Right to Information Act from the R&B regarding the quality of the material used for the work.
Even after filing the first appeal to the office of Superintending Engineer, R&B Baramulla, he is continuously being denied the information.
With his efforts, and not by the vigilance of the administration, the case was finally taken up by the District Vigilance Office (DVO), Baramulla in December.
The DVO has, so far, conducted 7 hearings of the cases but to no avail.
Further, out of 7 hearings, the ADC, Baramulla-who is the District Vigilance Officer-has preferred to remain absent due to reason better known to him.
After the case taken up by the DVO, the ADC conducted on spot inspection of the site of construction and stated that the works were carried out in grave violation of rules and that action will be taken against the concerned.
Even after his assurances, the case lies pending with the DVO without any action. The latest hearing, which the ADC has again skipped was scheduled on February 27; the next date of hearing is still to be announced.
When contacted, ADC Baramulla, Mohammad Ahsan Mir told Excelsior that the inquiry into the matter will be completed within one month and action against those involved will be taken.
“I have personally visited the spot and it is a perfect case of malpractice; it shall be done soon,” she said.
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