Shoddy works: Lokayukta orders for re-asphalting

Shoddy works: Lokayukta orders for re-asphalting

The Lokayukta said that the role of the consultants would also be probed.

Deccan Herald

Karnataka Lokayukta Justice N Venkatachala has directed the Deputy Commissioner (West) of the Bangalore Mahanagara Palike (BMP) to re-asphalt some of the roads in Gandhinagar and Malleswaram divisions of the BMP.

The Lokayukta issued the direction following his inspection of the two divisions on Tuesday afternoon. Expressing concern over the sub-standard quality of work, Justice Venkatachala said with such a state of affairs, it would not be possible to get aid from World Bank and other donor agencies, who are willing to extend financial aid.

He has further directed the deputy commissioner not to release funds till the quality of work is ensured. Speaking to reporters during the inspection, the Lokayukta said the role of the third party, who work as consultants and charge excessive rates as commission, should be probed.

He also expressed regrets that many BMP officials were only concerned with ‘percentage’ and not the quality of work, and hence were wasting public money. Inspection is the only way to make them accountable and Tuesday’s inspection was just a beginning of a series of raids on road works, he added.
Justice Venkatachala said he would ensure that these officials consider roads and infrastructure as assets and not as liabilities.

The roads visited by the Lokayukta team were Kallappa Block 9th Main, Srirampura 2nd cross, 2nd main Nandini Layout and Kanteerava Studio Main Road.
The thickness of the Kallappa Block 9th Main was found to be only 25 to 30 mm, as against the actual guidelines of 50 mm. The temperature of bituminous macadim brought in a tipper, was 99.9 degree celsius, against the required 145 degree to 160 degree celsius.