Central vigil on Commonwealth Games

Anti-corruption panel points out glaring errors in projects

Anti-corruption panel points out glaring errors in projects

As the D-day is nearing, the controversies around the Commonwealth Games are getting bigger and murkier.u00a0 First it was the media that pointed out loopholes in the preparations after brief Monsoon showers in Delhi wreaked havoc, then the scathing remarks by former sports minister Mani Shankar Aiyar and now another tragedy that may stall some projects in the Capital.


A view of the under-construction Jawahar Lal Nehru Stadium, the main
venue for the Commonwealth Games. FILE PIC

The Central Vigilance Commission (CVC) has pointed out a glaring scam in projects related to the mega sporting event that are being undertaken by various contractors. According to the initial probe by the central corruption watchdog, there has been a scam to the tune of at least Rs 20 crore.

The inquiry, which is being carried out by Chief Technical Examination Wing of the CVC, has named the Central Public Works Department (CPWD), Public Works Department (PWD), Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD), Delhi Development Authority (DDA), New Delhi Municipal Council (NDMC) and RITES for being involved in corruption.

The cases cited against them range from bidding higher prices for the projects and poor quality of the construction work to awarding contracts to ineligible agencies. "According to the CVC, these agencies have escalated the price of the work on flimsy grounds. In some cases they have demanded more money citing delays in the project etc," said a highly-placed official, requesting anonymity.u00a0

Recently, the commission also collected samples from the construction sites and found glaring faults in civil and engineering aspects.

PWD has emerged as the biggest defaulter with five out of the 14 projects. NDMC, CPWD, DDA and MCD have been held responsible for two projects each. RITES, which is responsible for one project, too, could not escape from the inquiry for its works on the rugby ground at Jamia Millia Islamia University.

The CVC has decided to re-examine all the tenders and procurement related works assigned to all the agencies and sub-contracts. In some cases the agencies have escalated prices by citing factors like transportation cost for labourers but the workers for the entire span of the works were camping at the sites.

The Other Side

The agencies who got the rap from CVC for shoddy work said that they don't have any information about it, as no official communication has reached them from the panel. "I have not got any such letter," said MCD Commissioner KS Mehra. The NDMC also denied receiving anything. "I will have to check. But as far as I know we have not got any such letter," said a spokesperson for NDMC. PWD Engineer in chief Rakesh Mishra also denied any official communication in this regard.

Rs 15,000 cr Has been spent on the Games
Rs 990 cr to 2600 cr Cost escalation in the budget for five major venues

I reviewed the situation with Cabinet Secretary on Wednesday and I am satisfied that all necessary preparations will be in place by the deadline fixed. - Manmohan Singh, Prime Minister

Construction of venues, etc is not my business at all. I am responsible only for the Rs 1,600 cr which is given to the Organising Committee. Nothing is said about that. It's all about construction. I don't do any constructions. - Suresh Kalmadi, Chairman, CWG Organising Committee

These are India's Games not Mani Shankar's or Kalmadi's. This is not the time for criticism or counter-criticism. Only 60 days are left and now we all should work towards successful hosting of the Games. - Rajeev Shukla, MP, Congress

Some of the works carried out by different agencies

Public Works Department (PWD) Flyover Naraina T Point, Barapulla Nallah Road and Delhi-UP Link Road New Delhi Municipal CoUNCIL (NDMC) Talkatora Stadium Shivaji Stadium Central Public Works Department (CPWD) Ten sports venues including JLN stadium where closing aand opening ceremonies are to be held. Delhi Development Authority (DDA) Commonwealth Games Village. Residential complex Games Village. RITES Rugby stadium at JMI University. MCD Street scaping of 12 roads around 5 CWG venues.u00a0 Road-over- bridges/ Road-under-bridges on 16 major railway crossings at a cost of Rs. 214 crores and street lighting.