VARANASI: Large scale irregularities were detected in Smart City projects when UP minister of state (independent charge) Neelkanth Tiwari removed newly-laid stone plates himself to check the quality of the work during a surprise inspection on Wednesday evening.
Under the Smart City Project old pipelines of sewage and water supply are being replaced in the serpentine lanes of old Kashi area. On Wednesday, the minister along with other public representatives reached the narrow lanes of his City South assembly constituency, which houses most part of the ghats along river Ganga, Kashi Vishwanath and other prominent temples apart from major wholesale markets in old city area.
During the surprise physical inspection of the work of laying sewage and drinking water pipelines Tiwari took spade and removed newly laid stone plates exposing large scale irregularities.
According to Tiwari, after replacing the old pipelines of sewage and water supply with the new ones three layers of plain cement concrete (PCC) has been prescribed in the condition of contract. However, only one layer of PCC was found, the quality of which was also not found satisfactory, he added. Three-day time has been to the contractors and officials concerned for corrective actions in order to avoid punitive action against them, he said.
During his visit of over four hours he also detected laxity in water supply and sewage connections at many places. Natives of Kaivalya Gali, Ahilyabai, Maan Mandir, Tripura Bhairavi, Rani Bhawani Gali, Meerghat, Kalika Gali, Vishwanath corridor and adjoining areas also apprised the minister of the ground realities of the work and problems being faced by them due to delay in completion of the work.
The officials of Smart city limited, Jal-Kal and Varanasi Development Authority were asked to do proper listing of faults detected during the minister’s inspection in order to ensure timely correction.
