Taking serious note of irregularities in supervision of construction of Abohar bypass, Punjab Public Works Department (PWD) Minister Vijay Inder Singla on Wednesday suspended the XEN (Executive Engineer) in-charge.
Singla also issued a show cause notice, under rule 10, to the Superintending Engineer for failure to supervise the construction work and also charge-sheeted the Sub-Divisional Engineer (SDE) and a Junior Engineer (JE) concerned for major penalty under rule 8.
Advocating stern action against defaulters, Singla said that Capt Amarinder Singh led Punjab government will not compromise on quality of construction material. “A minor lapse in quality has serious repercussions…It may pose grave threat to life and property,” he said.
Singla said that as the elected representative of people, he will ensure that every penny of peoples’ money is used in the right earnest. “My message to all concerned is loud and clear that roads and bridges are the backbone of all economic activity and my department will not let go any sub-standard construction in the public domain. The department employees have to pull up their socks, be vigil and adopt zero-compromise approach, else they would be in rough waters,” he made it clear.
Notably, the PWD Minister, along with the Department secretary Hussan lal and the quality control team, inspected the work of Abohar bypass on May 14. After ensuring sampling under his personal supervision, the quality control team took samples of bitumen works and also took samples of chequered tiles having been put on the central divider.
The visual inspection revealed that a large number of chequered tiles were cracked or broken within about 10 days of the construction. Besides, no cement mortar was used to place the tiles as required and provided in the DNIT or bill of quantities.
The samples were taken and examined in the research lab. Preliminary investigation revealed that the quality of two samples collected on the spot are sub-standard and fall in the rejected category of materials.
“Detailed investigation is on and thereafter necessary action would be initiated against the Contractor. None of the defaulters will be spared,” Singla declared.