The Chhattisgarh Public Works Department (PWD) has set up a four-member committee to investigate alleged poor-quality construction work and irregularities in the under-construction Rajnandgaon-Khairagarh road project, following the collapse and deterioration of parts of the first asphalt layer prior to completion of the road.
Several sections of an asphalt layer have now come off the road, exposing the aggregates and causing some sections to become uneven. The condition has questioned the quality of construction, the materials used in construction and their technical supervision. Similar issues have been reported for Rajnandgaon-Mohla-Manpur road, too, it was reported.
Overwhelmed with storms and water build-up after the first layer of asphalt, some damage occurred in certain places, the PWD said. Khairagarh Sub-Engineer Smarika Tiwari explained that two more layers of asphalt have still to be added and damaged areas will be removed and the surface will be resurfaced.
Bharat Lal Verma, vice-president of Rajnandgaon District Central Cooperative Bank, made the quality concerns in a complaint that was filed in September. The complaint had demanded an investigation into the issue of substandard construction and, if any irregularities were detected, their solutions.
After the complaint, the Principal Chief Engineer, PWD, Vijay Kumar Bhatpahari has issued an order creating a four-member inquiry committee on 2 October. Senior engineering officials are on the panel and are seeking to submit their report within three days.
Some points to be discussed by the committee are GSB, WMM, subgrade, asphalt work, quantity of bitumen, thickness of the road, density, gradation, elevation, and asphalt quality and gradation of the aggregates. Also it will review the part played by officials concerned for construction quality and by the agency which carries out the work.
The enquiry will also inquire whether any unconditional permanent payment from the works should be deferred or suspended, pending the enquiry. In case of any compromises in quality, if financial mismanagement or corruption have been found, it will be incumbent upon the committee to suggest an action.
The department has also instructed to mend the affected portions such as in and around Dongargaon-Kumarda, and install signage or alternate facilities to make roadways safe for travel.
The investigation will decide if the damage was mostly due to rainfall in Chhattisgarh and water or if failures in the technical aspects have resulted in reduction.