Another poor quality road work unearthed in Ludhiana

Kuldip Bhatia

Ludhiana, November 22

Even after several samples of newly constructed/carpeted roads in city areas have failed quality test for using sub-standard material and poor workmanship, another poor quality road work has come to light during the checking of the under-construction ready mix concrete (RMC) road in Giaspura in the C zone by the zonal commissioner.

On receiving complaints about poor quality work being executed by the contractor for the construction of the main road in Giaspura (Ward No. 30), the MC Commissioner Pradeep Kumar Sabharwal had marked an inquiry to the zonal commissioner, Neeraj Jain, who visited the spot and found that the thickness of the shuttering did not match the stipulated thickness of the RMC material which was to be laid on the road surface.

“The shuttering on the road surface has been dismantled and the contractor has been directed to carry out the work strictly as per the specifications and also maintain proper quantity and quality of the material as per the work order,” said the zonal commissioner, adding that he had apprised the Commissioner of his findings.

Jain said the work on the road had been suspended and the Commissioner had issued instructions to the team of quality control cell to remain present at the spot to oversee the work with regard to the use of right quantity and quality of material and ensure proper workmanship.

Poor quality work by contractors and construction agencies for building and carpeting of roads and streets in the city has, of late, assumed alarming proportions, with over a dozen road works having failed the quality test – both for the use of sub-standard and inadequate material and workmanship.

Highly placed sources maintained that it was the nexus of contractors and certain officials of the building and road (B & R) branch of the Municipal Corporation that was wreaking havoc on the quality of development works. “Contractors keep cutting corners to save on cost and make compromises with quality, while certain obliging officials and employees of the MC act in connivance with them for their vested interests,” said the sources.

The sources, meanwhile, said the process to take penal action against the erring contractors and officials was in progress as per the rules.

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