Nagpur: In a tough act sending a strong message to negligent contractors, Nagpur Municipal Corporation (NMC) has decided to file criminal complaints against M/s Abhi Engineering Corporation Pvt Ltd for violating the contractual conditions.
The move pertains to failure of the contractor to comply with directions of Municipal Commissioner Dr Abhijeet Chaudhari to properly restore the road stretch between Gandhi Nagar Square and Abhyankar Nagar, that was dug up for laying the water pipeline. Superintending Engineer, Public Works Department, NMC, on August 24, submitted a complaint to Sadar Police Station as to disregarding norms by M/s Abhi Engineering Corporation Pvt Ltd.
Today’s Rate
Saturday 09 Nov. 2024
The SE listed the violation on part of the contractor and sought registration of offence under Sections 125, 285, 290, 292, 316 and 324 of Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS). The complainant is Narendra Bhandarkar, Delegate, Dharampeth Zone No 2, NMC. The firm had bagged the contract for laying water pipeline under Amrut Yojana and later was assigned the work by the civic body. The work involved laying a 1000 mm dia water pipeline connecting the Laxmi Nagar elevated service reservoirs (ESR) with those of Seminary Hills as part of Pench IV work to strengthen the drinking water supply system in Nagpur.
The contractor was awarded a contract for laying a 1000 mm dia water pipeline from Laxmi Nagar to C P Club stretch and also a feeder line of 700 mm diameter from Gandhi Nagar to Laxmi Nagar ESR. As per the tender, the contractor concerned has to obtain permission from competent authority before undertaking digging of the road. Post receiving complaints as to poor filling-up of the road after laying of the water pipeline, an inquiry was ordered by the Municipal Commissioner. The inquiry revealed that the contractor had dug-up the road without nod from the authorities, thus constituting disfiguring of public property, which is an offence.
After the fact came to fore, a notice was issued to the contractor to stop the work but in total disregard to authority, the firm continued to execute the allotted work. The shoddy condition of the road continues to put road users at risk. The poor fillup of the one side of the stretch failed to withstand the intense traffic and heavy rains exposing the potholes.
Meanwhile, the two wheeler riders faced slippery road conditions due to poor work on part of the contractor. Post closure of Ambazari T-Point to Subhash Nagar Road stretch, entire road traffic pressure came on the Abhyankar Nagar Road to Gandhi Nagar Square stretch that further exposed the short cuts adopted by contractors to save money.
The step taken by NMC is quite welcome and it remains to be seen what action the city police now take. Such shoddy repair works are common in all public contracts and it is the citizens who have to suffer its ill effects.
