Lieutenant Governor Kiran Bedi has suggested improvements to the existing standard operating procedure while excavating earth from lake beds to ensure accountability and transparency.
As part of Ms. Bedi’s weekend morning round-up, she, along with her Raj Nivas staff, cycled to Suthukeny-Kaikalpet Road Bridge on Sunday following complaints of indiscriminate excavation of earth from the Suthukeny lake bed, at an Open House held at Raj Nivas recentlu.
The Chief Engineer of Public Works Department apprised Ms. Bedi about the progress made in the construction of the road bridge. The link road to Suthukeny village will be established by September after which the bridge will be open for public use.
PWD explanation
The official also apprised the Lieutenant Governor that excavation of earth from the lake bed was done under permit following payment to the Commune panchayats and PWD. The excavation was carried out in the presence of officials of the Commune panchayats and PWD and log entries had also been recorded.
Ms. Bedi also visited the excavation site at the lake and suggested that the excavation should be videographed and made part of the standard operating procedure. The officials should also conduct surprise checks and record the list of persons in the log books to affix signatures with name to ensure accountability.
The Lieutenant Governor also visited Oussudu Lake and reviewed the Shramdaan works carried out during the last weekend rounds.
On Saturday, Ms. Bedi visited the airport precincts and suggested that the sideways should be landscaped to create a pristine ambience. She also advised the authorities concerned to expedite the works in the airport on a war footing before August 10 before the operationalisation of the airport.