Road works riddled with graft, apathy

Tandur: All road construction works in the town should be carried out as per the master plan, but it is not being so in practice, it is alleged. The contractors are said to be carrying out the works throwing all the rules to the wind. No official seems to be bothered.

The officials prepared a master plan and an amount Rs 25 crore was allotted for construction and beautification of roads in the town. Certain specifications were prescribed for the roads. But the works, which have been carried by the R&B department, are not meeting the specified standards. Recently, municipal councillors obstructed the road construction works, alleging that they were not being laid as per the standards.

R&B officials commenced construction of road work from Shanta Mahal to Railway Station on Friday. Councillors Aravind, Ravi, Sumit Goud, Harihara Goud and Congress leader Ramulu reached the spot and questioned the officials whether the works were going on as per the master plan. When they found that the construction was not meeting the specifications of master plan, they questioned R&B JE Rajeshram and DE Srinivas. The leaders asked them how they should answer the public when problems arise.  The officials stopped the works and left the place.

Even the electrical polls were also not removed. In fact, the old polls should be replaced with new ones and shifted to another place. But nothing has been done in this regard. As per master plan, the road should be 80 feet wide. The R&B officials already marked the level from Indira Chowk to Railway station. The constructions, which come under this way were marked for demolition. But the contractor did not care about all this and was trying to extend the road by two and half feet to both sides of the existing road, it is slammed. When locals and people’s representatives obstructed the work and questioned about irregularities, the construction was halted.

Locals also alleged that the standards of work are very poor and road which should stand up to many years must be of higher standard. On the other hand, the people’s representatives also said that they would not compromise on the standards and take up the cudgels for the people.