Use of costly technology in government constructions draws flak

Dharamsala, July 1

The use of steel structures and expanded polystyrene (EPS) in the construction of buildings and walls by the previous Congress government as well as the current BJP government has drawn flak.

BJP leader and HPCA spokesperson Sanjay Sharma, while addressing a press conference held here today, alleged that two companies — M/s Level 9 and Synergy Thrislington Limited, Mohali — were given special favour during the stint of the previous Congress government. Only these two companies bid for the construction of the HIMUDA building and were allotted tenders at exorbitant rates.

He said when concrete structures were more stable and cheap then why HIMUDA opted for steel frames and the EPS wall technology, which was more costly and comparatively unstable. He alleged that the conditions of the tenders were modified to favour the companies.

Sharma said he had written to Chief Minister Jai Ram Thakur to seek a vigilance inquiry into the construction of the buildings raised using steel structures and EPS walls and get a case registered against the officials responsible for causing a huge loss to the state exchequer. He alleged that former minister Sudhir Sharma was also involved and he had only introduced this new technology.

As per reports, the EPS technology was first adopted by HIMUDA during the stint of the previous Congress government, and now the same is again being used both by HIMUDA and the Urban Development Department. It is 40 per cent costlier than concrete structures. While concrete construction, as per the PWD’s specified rates, costs between Rs 1,500 and Rs 2,000 per sqft, the steel and EPS structure costs more than Rs 3,000 per sqft. — TNS