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| CM's probe order eats dust | | Inquiry officer running from pillar to post for facilities | | Sub standard' material used in Samba bridges
Sumit Sharma
JAMMU, Nov 7: The 'hollow claims' of National Conference- Congress coalition government to maintain accountability in governance once again came to fore as even after the lapse of two months, the Chief Minister Omar Abdullah's announcement to probe the irregularities in construction of bridges in Samba district is still waiting to take off. The Chief Minister had ordered an inquiry against the alleged use of sub standard material for the construction of bridges which were heavily damaged after few months of their commissioning due to incessant rains in district Samba.
The probe order in this connection was himself made by Chief Minister Omar Abdullah in public on August 16 when he visited various areas in Jammu and Samba districts to get a first- hand account of the damages caused to the public and private property by the rain, however, the said inquiry has yet to be initiated.
During his visit, to take stock of the damage caused to a bridge over the Devika nullah at Check Bhimsen in Vijaypur village and damage to a bridge at Bandu Rakh, linking Kunjwani to Bishnah, the CM admitted that sub standard material was used in the bridge which will be thoroughly inquired and the malpractices found, if any, will be exposed with in one month.
For the purpose, Omar deputed former Chief Engineer AK Wazir to hold inquiry.
CM also directed early restoration of bridges and other affected infrastructure while asked the engineering department concerned to assess the carriage capacity of the Uttar Vahini bridge and formulate a proposal for strengthening it. In an inquiry order, former Chief Engineer was asked to submit report of the discrepancies including wrong design in constructing the bridges, sub standard material used for their constructions and other related irregularities.
Ironically after the elapse of two months, Wazir is still roaming to PWD department to provide him experts, vehicle, staff and stationery material so that inquiry procedure could be initiated. Finally, after being continuously harassed for one reason or the other inquiry officer wrote a letter to nodal officer Chief Engineer PWD (R&B), Jammu Tehseen Mustafa, copy of which had been dispatched to Chief Minister and other higher officers including DC Samba..
Earlier, MM Sharma, retired Chief Engineer whose name was surfaced into the multi crore scam involving Ganpat bridge on Chenab river at Doda, was entrusted the inquiry into damage to 150.9 meter span vented causeway at Uttar Vahini. On his refusal, the Roads and Buildings Department suggested names of some retired Chief Engineers to the Chief Minister, Omar Abdullah, who is also holding the charge of R&B Department and Abdullah cleared the name of retired Chief Engineer, AK Wazir. The bridge which suffered damages within few years of its construction was constructed by M/s AK Constructions, within a period of one month, sources said.
Pertinent to mention here that rain caused havoc in Jammu region on August 11 in which a bridge over river Devak also suffered damaged due to flash floods. The inquiry was ordered following people of Samba held protest demonstration against government and pelted stone at police. |
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