Nagpur: Prashant Pawar, the Convener of Jai Jawan Jai Kisan Sangathan, has come forward with allegations of a massive scam involving Rs 870 crore in the construction projects of Maha Metro. According to Pawar, there are serious concerns raised during the CAG (Comptroller and Auditor General) audit, specifically related to the construction work contracts of Maha Metro. These objections signify potential irregularities and mismanagement in the execution of the projects.
Pawar made these allegations in a press conference held at the organization’s office in Bajaj Nagar on Thursday. Explaining the technical side of the contract, Pawar said that earlier the reserve fund of the contract was shown in excess. Later, the contract was awarded at a lower rate. The contract amount was then increased as an improvement fund. Not only this, contracts worth crores were awarded even without tendering for some works. Nagpur Maha Metro is divided into 4 routes. Under Reach 1, Sitabuldi to Mihan, Reach 2 Automotive Chowk to Sitabuldi, Reach 3 Sitabuldi to Lokmanya Nagar and Reach 4 Prajapatinagar to Sitabuldi. According to Pawar, an expenditure of Rs 445.75 crore was fixed for the construction of 10 metro stations on Reach 3 route.
Wenesday Rate
Wed 25 Dec. 2024
Pawar further claimed that the ITDC Company took that contract for Rs 237.75 crore. The contract for the construction of station buildings at Lokmanya Nagar, Bansi Nagar, Vasudev Nagar, Rachna Junction, Subhash Nagar, Dharampeth College, LAD Chowk, Shankar Nagar, Institute of Engineers and Jhansi Rani Chowk has been given to the company. Tenders were not floated for separate construction of Metro Rail Zero Mile Station. The contract for this construction was given to ITDC Company.
“In spite of flouting the rules, the earlier contract was awarded at a lower rate and there was no time for the contract process, so the contract was awarded to the earlier company. Reach 3’s work has seen a huge increase in contract funding. Rs 445.75 crore work expenditure funds in Reach 3 stations were increased. Rs 242.31 crore work of Reach 2 station was sanctioned without tendering. Rs 92.97 crore work of Zero Mile Station was also not tendered,” Pawar alleged.
The Jai Jawan Jai Kisan organization has also shown its readiness to report these cases to the Anti-Corruption Bureau. Prashant Pawar along with Vijaykumar Shinde, Arun Bankar and other workers were present at the press conference.
