Minister alleges NHAI-contractor nexus, urges Gadkari to act against erring officials

Rural Development and Panchayati Raj Minister Anirudh Singh today alleged a deep-rooted nexus between contractors and National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) officials and urged Nitin Gadkari, Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways, to take action against corrupt officials.

Anirudh, while addressing mediapersons here, alleged that the stage-II clearances under the Forest Conservation Act (FCA) had not come for most of the roads being constructed in the state but NHAI officials were clearing the bills of the contractors doing the work. “It’s a clear violation of the FCA and Gadkari should take strict action against such officials,” he added.

The minister said that the construction companies could do only the cutting work before securing the stage-II clearance. “Without the stage II clearance, the construction companies can’t raise permanent structures like bridges, retaining walls or pillars for bridges. As per the FCA, heavy penalties should be imposed on companies for this violation and an FIR should be filed,” he added.

Anirudh claimed that only the stage-I clearance had come for the four-lane highway construction on the Shoghi-Dhalli stretch of the Kalka-Shimla highway, yet permanent structures had been constructed there. “Who are then clearing bills and releasing payments. It raises a serious question mark on NHAI officials,” he added.

The minister said that a large number of complaints had been filed against NHAI officials and construction companies but hardly any action had been taken on any of the FIRs. “It will be better if the administration and the police take timely action on these issues. Delay in taking action in these cases reflects complicity of the departments as well,” he alleged.

He said, “I’ve many FIRs with me but no action has been taken in these cases. I will take up the issue with Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu and strict action will be taken against the erring officials.” He added that serious issues related to road construction were being suppressed at various levels. “The higher-ups are pressuring lower-level officers to continue projects despite complaints in the name of development and national project. The government will not accept this and strict action will be taken against the officers who pressure junior officers,” he added.

The minister said that the work should not be carried out without required permissions and Gadkari should take prompt action against the officials not doing their job. Col Ajay Bargoti, Regional Officer, NHAI, Shimla, could not be reached for his response to the allegations levelled by the minister.