KOCHI: The state audit department has found serious anomalies on the part of Kalamassery municipality in claiming the required amount from M/S Adani Group for the road restoration work after the implementation of the City Gas Project in two wards in the financial year 2016-17. Interestingly M/s Adani Group which is implementing the City Gas Project in a joint venture with Indian Oil had deposited with the Kalamassery Municipality a sum of over Rs 1.29 crore on February 13, 2017, for the road restoration works after the roads were cut in the municipality for the purpose.
However, the audit report notes that the road restoration work rates were not imposed as per the orders of the PWD Roads and Bridges Chief Engineer issued on March 18, 2013. The audit report notes that the municipal engineer had also underscored that the PWD rates have to be adhered to for such works and clarified that they were followed in this case. However, by referring to the rates in the records, the audit report has disputed this. The PWD rates for restoration of roads having black topped surface are at Rs 1521/m2 while only Rs 884.205/m2 has been imposed in this case.
In ward no 12 while Rs 94.37 lakh should have been imposed for restoring the tarred road, only Rs 54.86 lakh has been claimed. In ward no 10, in place of Rs 48.85 lakh which should have claimed, only Rs 28.42 lakh has been imposed in a case. In another case in the same ward, in the place of Rs 31.76 lakh that should have been claimed for restoration, only Rs 18.46 lakh has been claimed.
The report further adds that there is a shortage of Rs 73.24 lakh in the total amount claimed in three heads in two wards. It vaguely adds that such a low amount has been claimed because Indian Oil Corporation is also involved in implementing the project. The auditors vaguely caution the municipality to monitor the works till its completion and claim the amount subject to completing the project as per the agreement.
