Graft dogs Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium work

KOCHI: Even while the Greater Cochin Development Authority lags behind schedule in finishing the renovation of the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium for the Under-17 World Cup, corruption allegations have degraded the preparatory works of the mega sports event. Massive corruption is alleged over tenders for installing air conditioners, fire-fighting, and plumbing works. According to top sources at GCDA, irregularities in tendering and giving the work order have been done in connivance with a few officials.

“Though tenders were invited to install nearly 150 air conditioners, it was cancelled citing errors in specifications. It is the engineering officials who float tenders after deciding the specifications. Hence it is obvious that cancelling the tender on the basis of errors in specifications is for misappropriation. In the retendering, the work was awarded to a firm owned by the relative of a senior official,” alleged sources close to the Authority. Serious irregularities have been alleged in the tenders for other renovation works also.

“Cleaning work of the sewage treatment plant at the stadium was given to a private agency without tendering, citing urgency during the ISL matches. While only under 50 loads of sewage waste were removed, bills were passed for clearing 250 loads,” sources said. Meanwhile, Authority chairman C.N Mohanan told DC that fire fighting works have been retendered following allegations of irregularities.

“Regarding the other works, the tendering procedures were completed before I took charge. Though a few works have to be retendered, the Authority would be able to hand over the stadium after completing the renovation to FIFA as per schedule,” he said. The GCDA is facing serious allegations of corruption and irregularities for the works undertaken during the period after the previous chairman exited and the new chairman took charge.