Only 30 per cent of CC road works are through

Tandur:  Of the proposed 1,274 CC road works at a cost of Rs 38.83 crore in 367 gram panchayats of Vikarabad, Tandur, Parigi and Kodangal Assembly constituencies, only 30 per cent of the works are completed even after third week of April. 

Only 380 CC roads could be laid in the four Assembly constituencies, if the snail’s pace of works is any indication.  Still 894 roads are yet to be laid. In fact, the deadline fixed for completing the works was March last week. Of the 86 CC roads to be laid in Tandur mandal, only 36 could be completed. In Peddemul mandal, only 37 out of 158 have been accomplished. 

For want of effective inspection by officials, the contractors have been accused of executing the works well below the set quality standards. The execution is haphazard with an eye to complete the works anyhow. Right proportions are not being adhered to in mixing the concrete. Similarly, curing of roads has been thrown to winds.  Consequently, ditch formation on roads and water-logging are complained. The metal stones laid are exposed as the cement is worn off. 

A special quality control cell is watching quality in roads executed under the NREGS.  Further, a sample of concrete from the road is culled and sent to the laboratory in Sangareddy to identify the composition. For the works done at Mitta Baspalli in Tandur mandal, 40 per cent of the bills of the contractor are yet to be cleared. Contractors and political leaders lost their hopes of recovering at least Rs 2 crore in the district for want of quality.  

Officials have been asking the contractors who have not initiated work so far to start laying the CC roads. The promise to clear the contractors’ bills even if the works commenced rather late. If the works adhere to the quality standards, the officials say the contractors would not have to worry at all.