The Hindu 18.04.2013
KSUDP sewerage project in fresh row
Panel inspection detects two drain pipes without ISI mark.
The city Corporation’s sewerage project being
implemented by the Kerala Sustainable Urban Development Project (KSUDP)
landed in a fresh controversy on Wednesday with the commission that was
appointed to check the quality of drain pipes recovering two pipes
without ISI marks.
The pipes were recovered during checks near Karapparambu.
The
Principal Munsif Court had on April 9 ordered the inspection of the
sewerage pipes following allegations of corruption by an anti-corruption
campaign committee.
A team comprising a commissioner
appointed by the court, Bureau of Indian Standards officials, and
representatives of Shriram EPC, the private company that is contracted
for the work, conducted the inspection.
Near Karapparambu
“We
checked the sewerage work around the Karapparambu area. Two pipes
without ISI marks were found. After presenting the pipes before the
court, it has to be checked whether they match the stipulated standards.
The pipes will be taken to the testing facility in Kannur. We have
requested the KSUDP to give us the particulars of the pipe in the
contract,” K. Raghunandan, who heads the commission, said.
Since the court is on vacation, the testing is not possible till April 26.
However, KSUDP Project Manager K. Bhaskaran told
The Hindu
that the ISI mark is not a requirement as per the contract. “The project
is funded by the Asian Development Bank (ADB). The pipes can be from
any of the seven member countries of the ADB, as per the agreement. But
the pipes should match the Indian standards. The ISI mark is not
necessary,” Mr. Bhaskaran said.