State initiates steps to blacklist  construction firm

BHUBANESWAR: Three engineers, who were suspended after the collapse of the under construction flyover at Bomikhal here, have been chargesheeted under Rule 15 of Odisha Public Servant’ Conduct Rules for gross negligence. The State Government has also initiated steps for blacklisting Panda Infra Project Private Limited which was entrusted with the flyover project.

The steps have been taken basing on the recommendations of the inquiry report of the committee comprising chief engineers, designs and chief engineer, roads, said Works Secretary Nalini Kanta Pradhan. The committee, which submitted its report to Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik on September 26, maintained that standard operating procedure (SOP) was not followed and safety guidelines were also violated in construction of the flyover, Pradhan said and added that the report has recommended major penalty for such lapses.

The Works Secretary said the construction company has been issued a showcause as part of the process for its blacklisting. Besides, the report has found the suspended engineers, executive engineer Dukhabandhu Behera, deputy executive engineer Bansidhar Praharaj and assistant engineer Kishore Kumar Rout responsible for the mishap. The construction company also did not submit the design of the flyover before undertaking the project.

While the total tender for the project was worth `44 crore, Panda Infra had alone got tender of `28 crore. Of total 75 spans, 60 were laid completely in the 844-metre-long flyover, the report said.
The Works Secretary said showcause have been issued to the guilty officials and steps will be initiated after receiving the replies from them. He said the inquiry report has recommended stringent action against the guilty officials and construction company responsible for the mishap. One person died and 10 others were injured as the under construction flyover collapsed on September 10.