Municipal commissioner orders probe into roadwork being declared ‘complete’ sans work
PIONEER EDGE NEWS SERVICE/Dehradun
A 300-metre road project in ward 41, Indirapuram, was marked as fully completed in official records despite no construction taking place on the ground. The work on the road located in Raj Enclave, was valued at about Rs 20 lakh and the entire payment had already been released by the Municipal Corporation of Dehradun. The Dehradun commissioner Namami Bansal has ordered an inquiry in the matter.
According to the documents, excavation, base preparation and black-topping were shown as completed in November last year. However, residents rejected the claims, stating that no machines or labourers were ever seen at the site. Only a small patch was laid when the election model code of conduct was in force, raising further doubts about the project.
The matter came to light when a board displaying the names of a former councillor and former mayor was installed at the site, declaring the project “completed”. An application filed under Right To Information Act by residents revealed that the file showed the project as closed. Residents including SP Tyagi and Anita Verma, stated that the old road remains in its damaged state, and no construction work has been initiated. Taking cognisance of the issue, municipal commissioner Namami Bansal has ordered an inquiry into the misappropriation of public funds.
