3 months ago
1
A probe by the Vigilance and Anti-Corruption Bureau (VACB) has unearhed superior irregularities successful the operation of the Punalur-Muvattupuzha State highway, peculiarly successful the 30-km Konni-Plachery stretch.
An probe by the agency, the study of which has been handed implicit to helium Public Works Department,stated that the roadworthy was laid without adhering to prescribed standards, particularly with respect to the thickness and prime of tarring. Samples collected from 10 locations on the agelong failed to conscionable the required specifications. Technical experts conducted core-cut tests, which revealed that the Dense Bituminous Macadam (DBM) furniture did not person the mandated bitumen contented of 4.62%.
The bureau has recommended that the full 30-km agelong beryllium retarred oregon that the nonaccomplishment beryllium recovered from the contractor
The roadworthy operation was undertaken by EKK Infrastructure Ltd, with supervision by Consulting Engineering Group Ltd. The study points to lapses connected the portion of some the contractor and the supervising agency. Vigilance has besides suggested seeking explanations from the firms and, if required, initiating steps to blacklist them.
Irregularities were besides recovered successful stone blasting and world filling works.
Although the roadworthy was opened to postulation successful 2022, onshore acquisition and operation of parking areas, arsenic stipulated successful the contract, stay incomplete.
The preliminary inquiry, which took astir 4 years to complete, was initiated pursuing a ailment by Anil Kumar, a autochthonal of Ranni.
