*FIR registered based on complaint
THIRUVANANTHAPURAM
Minister for Public Works. G. Sudhakaran on Tuesday filed a police complaint against the contractor for not completing the resurfacing of the Mangalapuram-Karamana reach of the National Highway 66 within the stipulated six months, for violating the agreement with PWD and for flouting the safety norms.
Surprising police and the PWD officials, the Minister stepped into the office of Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP), Cyber City Sub-Division, Kazhakuttam around noon and lodged complaint against the contractor.
The PWD (NH) wing had signed an agreement with Nasaruddin. A. R,. Managing Director, Revive Construction Company (India) Ltd, Kilimanoor, on March 16 for resurfacing the 22 km NH 66 corridor, excluding the PMG-Thampanoor reach under the TRDCL. The six months given as per the contract ended on September 22 and the works had not been completed, the Minister said in the complaint.
The two km stretch near Kazhakuttam is full of potholes and the contractor had failed to complete the works despite the directive of the Chief Engineer, other supervisors and the office of the PWD Minister. It is learnt that the contractor had taken works of the Adoor-Kazhakuttam model corridor, being executed under KSTP Phase II, on sub-contract.
The Minister said the contractor had flouted all rules and PWD manual and had executed works only for 29 days. The lapses committed by the contractor invites criminal and civil action. The contractor has also failed to reply to the letter given by the Superintending Engineer on September 27. The Minister said the government is thinking of cancelling the contract and is for completing works legally.
The contractor has also flouted the safety norms and agreement. Several road accidents had taken place in the stretch and traffic snarls are a regular feature in the NH corridor. The pedestrians are having a tough time and transporting the sick and terminally ill to hospitals is time consuming. The contractor is guilty under IPC and the government wants action to be taken against him to ensure that no contractor indulges in such acts.
When contacted, Assistant Commissioner of Police, Cyber City, A. Pramod Kumar said an FIR had been registered based on the complaint given by the Minister. The contractor had been booked under Section 188, 283, 337 and 406 of the IPC and under Section 120 (n) and 122 of the Kerala Police Act. “We are looking into the agreement signed with PWD to assess the gravity of the violation committed,” he added.
EOM/ARK