BJP seeks probe into Patiala surface water project

The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has demanded a probe by central agencies into the delay and alleged misappropriation of funds allocated under the surface water project.

BJP councillor from ward number 41 Anuj Khosla met Governor Gulab Chand Kataria and demanded a CBI probe or investigation from central agency into the complete project.

“As per the Patiala MC, Larsen & Toubro Limited (L&T) had to complete the entire project by October 12, 2023 which was started on October 13, 2020. We are in 2025 and the project heads nowhere. We are heading towards monsoon and roads across the city are dug-up,” said Khosla.

He added that the L&T had dug up 20% of the road, but the patch was not repaired for over a year due to which the remaining road was also affected and that underground pipes have been laid but the joints have not been put in place.

The councillor said the delay in the project and repair work clearly reflects rampant corruption.

Notably, after facing intense criticism, the Patiala Municipal Corporation (MC) has finally decided to abolish the contract of road repair given to L&T. It was decided that the MC would take charge of the repair work.

Last year, the Punjab Government had imposed a fine of Rs 8.46 crore on L&T for delay in completing the 24x7 water supply project in Patiala.

Khosla had earlier raised the issue of broken roads during the General House meeting of the MC. He flagged the issue of broken roads in different parts of the city. Proof of the poor quality of repairs being done by L&T was presented in the form of pictures.

The canal-based water supply project was aimed at improving the water distribution system and controlling depleting level of underground water. The project included a water treatment plant of 115 MLD (million litre per day) capacity, a 19.75 MLD water reservoir, besides 236 MLD storage and sedimentation tank.

The construction work was allotted to a contractor for Rs 342 crore, out of which Rs 16.33 crore was meant for the restoration of roads after laying the pipeline.

Till March, out of the planned 312 km length, 192 km of pipelines for the canal water project had already been laid, while the work on the remaining 100 km was progressing.

According to a civic body official, the first phase of canal water supply would commence in July 2025. He said 136 km of road length was dug up for the project, of which 83 km was already reconstructed, including 75 km by L&T, 5 km by the PWD and 3 km by the MC. The process of repairing remaining 53 km, with 5 km each assigned to PWD and L&T. The MC was assigned to pave the remaining 43 km roads using the newly sanctioned funds.