Samajwadi Party government’s much-publicised Agra-lucknow Expressway will come under scanner as PWD minister Keshav Prasad Maurya said that the government will probe into all road projects taken up during the last 14 years by the SP and BSP governments.
“I have sought all related files and a probe would be ordered soon,” Maurya announced before the media after assuming office in lucknow on Thursday.
The announcement has created panic among officers involved in the construction of Agra-lucknow Expressway. The fate of the Purvanchal Express connecting lucknow with Ballia via Azamgarh, now hangs in balance.
“We have told the people that BJP government will probe all road projects initiated by the previous SP and BSP regimes. The BJP will fulfill its promise and whosoever is found guilty, action will be taken against him,” the Deputy CM said.
Asked about the fate of the proposed Purvanchal Express for which tenders were floated by the previous SP government, the PWD Minister clarified that the probe will include all big projects and included the Purvanchal Express.
“At present I cannot say about the fate of the Purvanchal Express till the probe is complete,” he said.
All BJP leaders, including Prime Minister Narendra Modi and party chief Amit Shah, have repeatedly alleged masive irregularities in the construction of lucknow-Agra Expressway. They claimed that the per kilometre cost of Agra-lucknow Expressway was much higher than the national highway.
Maurya further said that all national and state highways would be repaired at war footing and assured that there was no dearth of funds for welfare of the people.
“People want good roads and this BJP government is committed to providing the same at any cost,” Maurya said
Formerly state BJP chief, Maurya left for New Delhi to meet the party leadership.