Seven road samples fail quality test in Ludhiana

Harshraj Singh
Tribune News Service
Ludhiana, July 27

Role of contractors and officials concerned is under the scanner as seven samples collected from roads, which were recently carpeted, have failed the ‘quality’ test. According to information, the bitumen content was found to be less than the permissible limit in the failed samples.

Earlier instances this year

It is not the first time that road samples have failed the quality test in the city. The quality control team had earlier this year collected the samples of ready mix concrete (RMC) and RCC roads in city areas and many had failed the test. The average thickness of the samples collected from a stretch near RK Road, Circular Road near Daresi Ground and Baba Mukand Singh Nagar was found to be less than the permissible limit mentioned in the tenders.

A total of 17 samples were collected in the city. Seven samples collected from Chander Nagar, Guru Vihar, Amantran Colony, Bal Singh Nagar Road, Ashok Nagar, the road stretch near Mata Rani temple on Daba Road and the stretch (connecting Dugri) opposite GNE College have failed test, according to information.

The tender amount for these road projects is said to be in lakhs of rupees. The sampling was carried out by the quality control team of the MC.

Confirming the development, Additional Commissioner Rishipal Singh said seven samples had failed the quality test. He said the payments of the contractors concerned had been stalled and necessary action would be taken against the guilty as per law.

It is not the first time that road samples have failed the quality test in the city. The quality control team had earlier this year collected the samples of ready mix concrete (RMC) and RCC roads in the city areas and many had failed the test. The average thickness of the samples collected from a stretch near RK Road, Circular Road near Daresi Ground and Baba Mukand Singh Nagar was found to be less than the permissible limit mentioned in the tenders.

Following a complaint filed by a city-based RTI activist, the Vigilance Bureau had earlier sought a report about sub-standard roads in the city. The bureau had written to the Additional Chief Secretary of Department of Local Government to take appropriate action on the complaint.

As the samples of more roads have failed test now, questions are being raised over the role of the B&R officials concerned who were responsible to keep a check on road work.

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