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.