Revealed: Outrage Mounts as Police Delay Summoning Accused in Explosive Rs 2,300-Crore Road ‘Scam’
Shillong Police Probe Into Road Project Scam in Preliminary Stage
By Our Reporter
SHILLONG, Oct 29: The investigation into the Shillong-Nongstoin-Tura road project scam remains in its initial phase due to the technical complexity of the case, according to Shillong Police. Despite being prompted by the state government last week to scrutinize the alleged multi-crore scam, police sources confirm that the inquiry is still preliminary, with no summons or arrests of any accused named in the FIR. The FIR, lodged by PWD (NH) Chief Engineer AM Kharmawphlang, accuses senior state government engineers and officials from two private companies in Telangana and Haryana of collusion.
The contested road project, part of the Special Road Development Programme-North East, was approved in 2010 at a revised cost of Rs 2,366.77 crore from an initial Rs 1,303.83 crore. Originally set for completion in 2014, the project was delayed, with the implementing agency, BSC C&C and BSCPL (joint venture), citing the state PWD’s failure to provide land, certified payments, and security, leading to large-scale cost escalation. They claim these challenges were exacerbated by the tough terrain of the 265-km route, yet the project was completed in 2017.
The contractors argue the government manufactured the allegations as a cover-up for the delays, threatening to file a defamation suit against the state for spreading misleading information. The company representatives stress that the project proceeded through legitimate competitive bidding, and the increased costs were scrutinized by both state and central authorities. Claiming the road is now in good condition and facilitating smooth traffic, they attribute cost escalations to the state’s procedural delays.
This complex scandal continues to unfold, drawing attention to systemic issues in public project management and the need for a rigorous police investigation to unearth the truth behind the financial discrepancies.
Original Story https://theshillongtimes.com/2024/10/30/police-yet-to-summon-accused-in-rs-2300-crore-road-scam/
Category : MEGHALAYA
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Publish Date: 2024-10-30 02:07:00
