Vigilance probe unearths lapses in construction of Punalur-Muvattupuzha Road

A probe by the Vigilance and Anti-Corruption Bureau (VACB) has unearhed serious irregularities in the construction of the Punalur-Muvattupuzha State highway, particularly in the 30-km Konni-Plachery stretch.

An investigation by the agency, the report of which has been handed over to he Public Works Department,stated that the road was laid without adhering to prescribed standards, especially with regard to the thickness and quality of tarring. Samples collected from 10 locations along the stretch failed to meet the required specifications. Technical experts conducted core-cut tests, which revealed that the Dense Bituminous Macadam (DBM) layer did not have the mandated bitumen content of 4.62%.

The agency has recommended that the entire 30-km stretch be retarred or that the loss be recovered from the contractor

The road construction was undertaken by EKK Infrastructure Ltd, with supervision by Consulting Engineering Group Ltd. The report points to lapses on the part of both the contractor and the supervising agency. Vigilance has also suggested seeking explanations from the firms and, if required, initiating steps to blacklist them.

Irregularities were also found in rock blasting and earth filling works.

Although the road was opened to traffic in 2022, land acquisition and construction of parking areas, as stipulated in the contract, remain incomplete.

The preliminary inquiry, which took nearly four years to complete, was initiated following a complaint by Anil Kumar, a native of Ranni.