Chief Minister Atishi Initiates Investigation into Defective Nand Nagri Bridges
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New Delhi, Dec 2 (NationPress) The Chief Minister of Delhi, Atishi, has mandated the Chief Secretary (CS) to carry out an investigation into the improper execution and maintenance of the Nand Nagri Railway Over Bridge and Railway Underbridge, which were erected from 2011 to 2015.
Atishi has voiced her deep dissatisfaction regarding the report's findings that these bridges, which were anticipated to endure for 70 years, began to exhibit significant cracks just months after completion.
"I cannot comprehend why, if such substantial discrepancies were highlighted in the report, no action was taken against the contractor and the negligent officials. It is alarming to discover that while the standard lifespan of a flyover exceeds 70 years, these bridges began showing cracks within merely 2-3 months of their completion. This clearly indicates rampant corruption in the project's execution," Atishi stated.
She has directed the Chief Secretary to investigate all officials involved in the tender formulation, awarding of the contract, and supervision of the work from 2011 to 2015.
Additionally, the CS has been instructed to probe the third-party agency responsible for the quality control assessments post-completion.
Atishi has urged the CS to impose the strongest punitive measures against all officers and contractors implicated in the gross negligence concerning the project’s execution and maintenance.
Meanwhile, a status report provided to CM Atishi indicated that serious structural problems were detected soon after the project was completed.
The report notes that the critical panel of the carriageway linking Nand Nagri to Durgapuri exhibited signs of distress during the initial construction phase.
A consultancy firm, engaged in 2019 to investigate the situation, recommended ceasing heavy vehicle traffic on the bridge and replacing the deck slab entirely due to defective construction, according to the statement.
CM Atishi remarked that these bridges, which incurred a cost of nearly Rs 100 crore, not only inflicted a severe loss on the public exchequer but also posed a threat to public safety.
