A multi-crore rupees road widening project from Khuntuni to Narsinghpur run by the Works Department has been contracted to the RKD Constructions.
However, it is alleged that since the firm has strong political hold in the State, it runs the work at the whims. At several places, the works have been left half-way with potholes and ditches everywhere which has made the road accident-prone. Over 15 people in past one year were killed due to accidents occurred in the road.
This apart, the RKD is excavating stone, soil, sand, gravel and other minor mineral products required for road construction from several nearby quarries and hills without licence or permission from the administration since inception of road work.
Allegedly, it has excavated soil from several dry canals, graveyards and jungle kisam plots for using in the work. Of late, the local administration has seized maches and vehicles including JCB, Hywa, Hitachi, tippers and tractors engaged in excavating minerals at Bhalumundia of Badamba. Badamba Tehsildar Ravinarayan Tripathy along with his team raided the spot and fined the construction company.
Meanwhile, locals have demanded probe into the matter by the Vigilance.