One more multicrore scam has tumbled out of the cupboards of the Bruhat Bangalore Mahanagara Palike. The irregularities, this time, pertain to “unnecessary” replacement of pavement slabs.
According to sources in the Palike, the Govindarajnagar executive engineer secured approval of the Palike authorities to lay stone slabs on the side drains in his division.
The work on improvement and development of footpaths and drains was proposed to be carried out at four locations - 80 Feet Road, up to Bangalore University (estimated cost: Rs 72 lakh), NGEF Main Road (Rs 98 lakh), Jyothi Nagar Main Road (Rs 61.6 lakh) and Jyothi Nagar Main Road to Jnanabharathi Main Road (Rs 68.4 lakh). The engineer cited damaged slabs as the reason for the project, though the slabs laid at a cost of Rs 1.5 crore three years ago were in a good condition.
The work began much to the chagrin of local residents who compelled the contractor to stop the work. The residents complained to BBMP Commissioner Siddaiah, who ordered an inquiry by the Technical Vigilance Cell under the Commissioner (TVCC).
The team led by the chief engineer visited the spot and found that the old slabs were in good condition, which contradicted the reason cited by the executive engineer. It also came to light that there was a duplication of work causing a loss of Rs 20 lakh to BBMP.
The TVCC observed in its report that the engineer, assistant executive engineer and the assistant engineer worked in an irresponsible manner and ignored the instructions of the Palike commissioner. This way, they caused a loss of Rs 2.07 crore to the civic agency. The TVCC has recommended stringent action against the erring engineers.
When contacted, Siddaiah said that works have been frozen, the job code has been