Ajay Sharma
Early Times Report
Rajouri, Jan 15: In an apparent case of loot, contractor hired by Public Welfare Department (PWD) is openly appeasing influentials by installing retaining walls outside their houses, allegedly ignoring landslide prone areas on the road stretch from Sia Hattal to Devika in Rajouri.
According to reports, PWD had recently floated tenders for the erection of retaining walls and drains on the road from Sia Hattal to Devika.
As per project guidelines, retaining walls and drains are supposed to be constructed at specific locations, especially areas prone to landslides and environmentally fragile zones, but in this project except few spots, concerned contractor is cherry picking and is constructing walls arbitrarily at irrelevant spots, particularly outside the houses of influential people of the area, said sources, close to the development. Sources added that people are influencing contractor to construct safety walls outside their houses, which was otherwise not needed, thus causing huge loss to the government exchequer.
Locals said that these retaining walls should be constructed at portions prone to landslides and other hazards, but the contractor unchecked by PWD is busy appeasing locals.
They said that due to recent rains, the road remained blocked for two days, but still the administration is not taking cognizance of the dereliction in construction of retaining walls.
Talking to Early Times, Superintendent Engineer Rajouri said that he will take strict action in this regard.
"I will seek report from the concerned officers and action will be taken against the guilty officers," said SE.
Meanwhile, locals have requested the Lieutenant Governor to constitute a team of officers to initiate probe in the matter, as many engineers and officials from PWD are involved in the loot. |
