The Hindu 27.07.2012
Shettar to order probe into silt removal scam in BBMP
Opposition member says full payment was made for 40 per cent of work
Chief Minister Jagadish Shettar on Thursday informed the Legislative Council that he would ask the Development Commissioner to probe the alleged irregularities in the work taken up by the Bruhat Bangalore Mahanagara Palike to remove silt from drains in the last three years.
The Chief Minister stated this while replying to Janata Dal (Secular) member M. Srinivas who alleged that payments had been made to contractors without even ascertaining whether they had completed the work. There was mismatch between the money paid and the actual quantum of silt removed from drains.
Missing silt dumps
“We should have seen huge dumps of silt in Bangalore if the contractors had actually undertaken work befitting the quantum of payments made to them,” Mr. Srinivas said, alleging that the quantum of silt removed had been inflated.
Bill paid
The contractors had not completed even 40 per cent of the allotted work though the entire bill had been paid, he added.
Chief Minister Shettar said the amount paid on this count was Rs. 38.17 crore in the last three years. This included transportation cost of Rs. 6.16 crore.
Nayandahalli nightmare
Replying to BJP member Ganesh Karnik, Mr. Shettar said he would take steps to facilitate smooth traffic at the Nayandahalli junction on Bangalore-Mysore state highway where works on an underpass as well as the metro rail have made commuting a nightmare for Bangaloreans.
He also assured the Council of taking pre-emptive measures such as providing alternative routes for traffic in future for further infrastructure works in the city.
Underpass
Pointing out to the October 31, 2012 deadline for the Nayandahalli junction underpass, he said he would instruct officials concerned to see it was strictly adhered to.
