Anomalies detected in road project
Road construction underway. PHOTO: FILE
The Kallar Syedan Assistant Commissioner has recently detected Rs1.58 billion worth of irregularities in the construction of the Kallar Syedan-Dhan Gali Road project, writing to the sub-divisional officer (SDO) of the Highways Sub-Division II, Rawalpindi seeking a detailed response on the objections.
The Provincial Development Working Party (PDWP) approved the construction, repair and expansion of the 20.5km road from Kallar Syedan to Dhan Gali in the financial year 2022-23. Work on the project kicked off in December 2022. Kallar Syedan-Dhan Gali road connects Rawalpindi to Azad Kashmir’s Dadyal and Mirpur areas. Tourists and overseas Pakistanis destined for Azad Kashmir use this key road.
Sources said that Kallar Syedan AC Ishtiaq Niazi visited the project to check the quality of the ongoing work. He spotted the working on the road, but found no responsible officer at the construction site. The Municipal Corporation’s sub-engineer was summoned on the spot and a report was sought on the ongoing work on the project.
The report submitted by the sub-engineer revealed that substandard concrete and extra sand were used in the construction of a bridge at the junction of Choa Khalsa and Kallar Syedan Road. As the connecting bridge would be used by thousands of passengers every day, the use of poor materials on the bridge could put motorists’ lives in danger.
It was further stated in the written objection that the base of the road wasn’t constructed as per the set standards while the debris of the already dilapidated road was also found absent from the scene. It was also said in the objection that the SDO concerned should inform the authorities if the debris from a previous road was used in the new road or moved elsewhere. The AC also highlighted the non-construction of the drainage system on the underbuilt road, the accumulation of water and the breeding of dengue larvae.
It was stated in the written objection that any kind of irresponsibility and incompetence in the construction of a very important public welfare project is unacceptable.
The AC demanded a detailed reply from the Highways SDO against all the objections raised on the project in the light of the sub-engineer's report and to submit the reply to the Deputy Commissioner as soon as possible.
Kallar Syedan AC Ishtiaq Niazi and the SDO Highway Sub-Division II Rawalpindi were contacted several times to know their positions regarding the irregularities and the objections but they didn’t respond.
Published in The Express Tribune, May 31st, 2024.