Three officials of the Chhattisgarh Public Works Department (PWD) have been suspended for alleged corruption, illegal activities and substandard work in the construction of the Gangalur-Nelasnar road in Bijapur.
Development comes after a few weeks the killing of journalist Mukesh Chandrakar in Bijapurwho exposed the corruption associated with the construction of the road. The road construction work was in full swing following Chandrakar’s murder.
Acting on the inquiry committee’s report, the Chhattisgarh government has identified major irregularities, including misappropriation of funds, misuse of official positions, and collusion with contractors. The officers appointed and named in the Fire are: Chief Engineer BL Dhruv, Sub-Divisional Officer RK Sinha, and Deputy Engineer GS Kodopi. These officers are accused of supervising substandard work and violating established standards.
PROBE REVEALS MAJOR ERRORS
A team of investigators, who inspected the site on January 8 and 9, found several defects in the construction. Portions of the road showed erosion of sea coats, potholes, and inadequate bridge reinforcement. These problems were found in many parts of the 54.40 km long Nelasnar-Kodoli-Mirtul-Gangalur road.
The government suspended SDO RK Sinha and Deputy Engineer GS Kodopi with immediate effect. Their headquarters have been transferred to the Chief Engineer’s office in Nava Raipur, where they will receive subsistence allowances during their suspension.
Additionally, retired Executive Engineer BL Dhruv has been issued a show cause notice, seeking a response within 15 days. Failure to respond will result in disciplinary action.
KILLING OF JOURNALISTS
The dead body of a 31-year-old journalist was found in a septic tank at a construction site in the southern Chhattisgarh city of Bijapur on January 3.
Mukesh, who was reporting for television news channels, has been missing since January 1. The Bijapur police have arrested four suspects in connection with the journalist’s murder.
He has been reporting on road construction work in Bijapur, a district affected by Left Wing Extremism.
The contract for the ongoing road project between Gangalur and Nelasnar was approved by the parties. One of the major parts of the work was handled by a local construction company, owned by the three Chandrakar brothers—Dinesh, Ritesh and Suresh. Mukesh was distantly related to them.
With comments from Dharmendra Mahapatra