Vittal: Lokayukta Probes Failings in Kuddupadav–Nayarmule Road Work
 
Pics: Dayanand Kukkaje
Daijiworld Media Network—Vittal (RD/CN)
 
Vittal, Jul 10: The remote village of Manila that lacked infrastructure for a long time was hoping for some relief due to the benefits extended by the Pradhan Mantri’s Gram Sadak Yojana.

However, allegations of substandard quality have now brought the road work under the scrutiny of the Lokayukta.
 

The Lokayukta is investigating the substandard quality of the work on Kuddupadav–Nayarmule (Bavalimule) road which was undertaken at an estimated cost of Rs 8 crore.  The locals pointed out the substandard quality of work to Lokayukta engineer Prasanna Kumar who has come to investigate the issue, in the presence of works engineer Narasimhamurti and other officers. 
 
The official papers state that the road work along 5 kms has been already completed of the total 10 km link road that will benefit Peruvai, Manila, and Muruva villages.  A local resident Gopal Agasa has lodged a complaint with Lokayukta alleging that the entire stretch of road work is of substandard quality.

Prasanna Kumar during his spot visit found that 30 culverts of 33 were found to be of substandard quality.  The locals exposed the double standards of the contractor who was claiming that pipes of the same diameter were being used though actually a pipe with a bigger diameter was laid at the entrance of the culvert while smaller sizes of the same were used inside. 

Meanwhile, a rebel group of local residents tried to support the executive engineer in an attempt to hush up the issue. 

If the road work is completed as stipulated in the contract under Pradhan Mantri’s Gram Sadak Yojana, it will save 8 kms of unnecessary travel for the locals.  Besides, buses will also begin plying on this route.
 
Prasanna Kumar informed the complainants that he would submit his report to the concerned department.  Meanwhile, the works engineer has also directed the contractor to modify the work and follow the norms under the project fearing disciplinary action by the Lokayukta.