FIR against NHAI, contractor for flyover damage

Gurgaon: An FIR was registered at Kherki Daula police station, after an RTI activist group filed a complaint against NHAI and its contractor for endangering lives and personal safety of others through inferior quality of construction of the flyover at Rampura, after a concrete chunk fell off it on Monday morning. NHAI has completely denied the allegation and has asked for an independent agency to conduct ultrasonic tests on the entire flyover on Thursday.
The case has been registered under sections 336 (endangering life or personal safety of others) and 34 (common intention) of the IPC. ASI Charan Singh, who is investigating the case, said, “We’ve taken statements from the Aadhikar group of RTI activists. Since no one is named in the FIR, we’ll send notice to NHAI and its contractor. After probe, if we find any negligence, there will be arrests.”

Gurgaon police filed a unique FIR on Tuesday evening, naming NHAI and its contractor in the FIR. Manesar DCP Rajesh Singh said, “A case has been registered. We have asked NHAI for details of people who were associated with the project.”

The FIR reads: “Material used in Rampura flyover was substandard. Public money has been mis-utilised and a case should be registered against NHAI and its contractor. Since the incident, in which a chunk of the flyover came off, happened late night on Sunday, there were no casualties. Had it taken place during daytime, the quantum of damage would have been worse. NHAI and its contractor are hand-in-glove in the issue and proper investigation should be done in the matter.”

Ramesh Yadav, one of the activists who filed the complaint, said: “NHAI is playing with lives of innocent people, and we can’t let that happen. They need to be made accountable. Concrete chunk falling off a flyover on a national highway is a serious issue.” NHAI said it was an accident, that they have not compromised with materials used to make the flyover. Project director of NHAI Jaipur, N N Giri, said: “Whatever is being written about the incident is wrong. We’ve used the best material available for this flyover. Had sub-standard material been used, would it have stood for five years?” Rampura flyover was opened to commuters in 2013. Since then, it has been in the spotlight for not having any streetlights. TOI spotted electrical poles on the flyover without any lamps. “Regarding streetlights, we’ve recommended termination of the contract of the Pink City Expressway concessionaire, as they are not doing their job properly,” added Giri.

On Thursday, NHAI will conduct an ultrasonic test on the flyover and check its thickness. “This test will tell us if it has suffered any structural damage over the last few years, such as air particles creeping into the concrete, making undue gaps. Once the test report arrives, we’ll decide what needs to be done,” added Giri.