Accusing the State Government of perpetuating irregularities in the construction of Dobra Chanthi bridge in the Tehri dam affected Pratapnagar area, the Dobra Chanthi Pul Banao Sangharsh Samiti (DCPBSS) has demanded the State Government to either release a whitepaper on the project or recommend a CBI enquiry into the project.
The dam affected area of Pratapnagar should be declared backward by the State Government, said the DCPBSS chief convenor Rajeshwar Prasad Painyuli, while adding that the committee had made preparations for approaching the National Green Tribunal and the Supreme Court in this regard.
Addressing the media here on Tuesday, Painyuli said that questionable conditions included in the tender floated by the Public Works Department in October for the completion of this project started in 2006 strengthen grounds for suspecting irregularities.
He said, "The Dobra Chanthi bridge is to be a 440 metre long bridge capable of carrying heavy vehicle traffic but in the PWD tender, even those with experience in construction of 200 metres long suspension bridge have been made eligible for the project. Another questionable condition is that the material purchased between 2007 and 2010 will have to be used for construction with there being no mention of the actual condition of these materials. These are metallic materials that have been left out in the open exposed to the elements for years which is bound to have affected its quality.”
“The old materials are being used to cover up the scam in this project as without laboratory and technical tests, using the old and affected metal components amounts to intentionally inviting disaster. The State should recommend a CBI inquiry or issue a whitepaper on the work done so far in this project while remaining work in the project should be completed under the monitoring of a court appointed committee,” he added.
Painyuli further said, "Construction of the Tehri dam is responsible for making the residents of Pratapnagar and other nearby areas socially and economically backward. This area should be declared a backward area. Seats should be reserved in medical, engineering and other technical education institutions for students of villages that have been left without proper links because of the Tehri dam reservoir. We plan to approach the NGT on this issue seeking an economic package for the affected area."
According to Painyuli, the State Government is hesitant to approach the Centre for funds as it will then have to provide details of about Rs144 crore spent on this project so far. He said that the DCPBSS will wait for the State Government to act as required till March-April next year. If the desired progress has not been achieved by then people will be mobilised to hold a gherao of the Chief Minister's residence till the construction is completed, he added.
BJP leader Prkash Suman Dhyani was also present at the Press conference.