Gopal Sharma
JAMMU, Jan 3 : Minister for Roads and Buildings, Floriculture and Parks, Syed Mohd Altaf Bukhari has ordered to make recovery from the contractors for the sub-standard work initiated on Sukrala-Machhedi road in Billawar area of Kathua and also asked Chief Engineer to hold an inquiry into the lack of supervision on the part of concerned PMGSY engineers of Billawar Division and the officials connected with quality control.
The PMGSY wing of the R&B department claimed to have spent Rs 5 crore on the macadamization/ black topping on 10 kms portion of this total 24 kms road length from Sukrala Mata to Machhedi. The work was allotted in 2011 to the contractors M/s Shivam Associates from Jammu and the black-topping work was completed hardly two months earlier. The work was so sub-standard that at many places the top surface start breaking/ uprooting after few weeks, raising question mark on the quality of work initiated and lack of supervision by the concerned PMGSY engineering staff at Billawar. Even the work of the quality control staff has also come under the scanner.
Though local people of the area raised hue and cry over the matter but the PMGSY officials at local level managed the affairs and the contactor in hush- hush manner was asked to repair some of the patches just to cover up the wrong done. Not only this, many culverts were left unrepaired and even the shoulders of the road ( kutcha sides) were left un-attended, despite the fact that it was part of contract agreement as per Chief Engineer PMGSY, Hamid Sheikh.
While first 10 kms portion of the road was handed over to the PMGSY by the R&B Division Basohli in May 2011, Rs 32 lakh claimed to have been spent by R&B authorities on the maintenance/ repair of this 14 kms road in last five years retained with R&B. But the condition of the road has remained worst despite these claims made by the R&B authorities at Billawar Sub- Division. There is worst kind of mud and slush on the road at Machhedi town and Nangalla. Entire water from the shops, dhabas, tea-stalls etc accumulates on this kutcha road, disrupting movement of vehicles. There are no side drains at all. Even tap water also flows down on the road.
According to Chief Engineer, R&B Jammu Alok Mengi, for maintenance of Sukrala- Machhedi Road no sufficient funds were at the disposal of concerned Basohli R&B Division. Giving details, he said in last five years from 2010-2011 to 2014-15, funds to the tune of Rs 32 lakh were provided for the repair/ maintenance of Machhedi road. He disclosed that during 2014-15, Rs 6 lakh were released for the maintenance of this road, in 2013-14 Rs 14 lakh, in 2012-13 Rs 11 lakh and during 2010-11 just Rs one lakh while no funds were made available during 2011-12. He claimed that due to meager funding, it is not possible to maintain this 14 kms road under the control of R&B.
Chief Engineer, PMGSY Jammu, Hamid Sheikh said that on this10 kms road, Rs 5 crore has been spent. He said the work was allotted in July 2011. The contracting agency owned by ‘Vaids’ had to conduct widening and other allied works like macamadization, blacktopping, including repair of pulis/ culverts, retaining walls, breast walls, management of road ‘shoulders’ etc. He said due to delay in the forest clearance, the construction of the road was also delayed. He said nearly Rs 27 lakh compensation was also given to the Forest department as nearly 200 trees had to be felled during widening exercise.
Replying to a question, the Chief Engineer said that as per agreement, it is responsibility of the contractor to maintain the road in case of any default or damage caused to the road. Moreover, there are two agencies appointed for quality assurance. They must do their job well. Mr Sheikh said that he would hold an inquiry into the matter and take action in this regard. He said the contractor would be asked to complete the remaining works, if any left.
Executive Engineer, PMGSY Billawar, Pawan Kumar Bhagat when contacted said that all the payment of the contractor worth Rs 5 crore has been released in favour of their agency. ” Nearly 30 mm black top layer has been laid on this 10 kms road by the contractor and some surface got damaged in short time and he was asked to go for the repair and several patches have been repaired. We have asked him to repair damaged road and he is doing the job,” Mr Bhagat said.
Minister for R&B, Mr Bukhari, however, told the Excelsior that department would make recovery from the contractor. He said that whosoever, is responsible for wrong done, would not be spared even amongst his staff. Mr Bukahri said that he has directed Chief Engineer to initiate action for effecting recovery and hold detailed inquiry fixing responsibility on the concerned staff and other people.
Regarding completion of remaining 14 kms portion of this road, Minister said that this road would be completed soon and the funds for it are being released shortly. It has been decided to complete this road under PMGSY and project has already been okayed. Mr Bukhari said that he would personally visit this remote area of Machhedi and Lohai- Malhar along with DyCM who represents Billawar and MLA Bani within one month. He said better connectivity to these far- flung areas including Billawar- Bani road via Katli will be his priority in district Kathua.
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