Daijiworld Media Network - Beltangady (SP)

Beltangady, Feb 17: Former MLA K Vasantha Bangera has alleged that the quality of work in the construction of road between Laila and Kotikatte has been very poor, and that corruption running into crores of rupees is involved in this laying of the new road. He demanded a detailed investigation into the matter.

He was speaking to the media after visiting Laila and inspecting the road work on Wednesday February 16.

"This 7.45 km road betweenLaila and Kotikatte was laid by spending Rs 7.93 crore. Already tar used for the road is peeling off. The grant was sanctioned here to lay a new road. But instead of building a new road, some bitumen has been spread out on the existing old road and shown as if a new road has been constructed," he alleged.

Pointing out to pieces of tar that have chipped, he alleged that no yardsticks as prescribed were followed when executing the road works here under the Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak scheme.

"Substandard works have been executed and crores of rupees has been swindled.I will complain to the Lokayukta about this irregularity. Huge irregularities on road works in Beltangady taluk are happening, and these issues will be raked up in the legislature through MLC, Harish Kumar, he said and demanded for detailed inquiry into the alleged irregularities.

He called the officials of the department from the spot over phone and wanted to know how the work was tested and under what provisions certificate was issued, even though prima facie it is clear that the road quality is very poor. He asked senior officials to visit the spot, verify the works, and take steps against those who were responsible for the poor work.

Block Congress president, Ranjan G Gowda, Shylesh Kumar, CPI (M) leader, Shekhar Laila and others were present.

It was found that the old road was visible from under the newly laid asphalt and the bitumens were peeling at various spots including the stretch where the quality verification marks were present.