Missing another deadline

17/08/2019

Missing many deadlines, the famous River Tawi Gated Barrage Project have always remained in news for missing deadlines and this time the project is in news for another reason and that is several financial and other irregularities have been noticed in the execution of the Project during the special audit conducted by a team of officers on the directions of the Government. Moreover, it has come to the fore that existing structure is continuously suffering damages in the absence of proper protection work. The special audit of the project was ordered by Finance Department on May 29, 2019. The task was assigned to a committee of officers comprising Director General, Centrally Sponsored Schemes in Planning, Develop-ment and Monitoring Department, Development Commissioner Works, Chief Engineer Roads and Buildings Department Jammu and Director Codes Finance Department. The special audit had objectives of assessing actual expenditure on the project, the claim of M/s GVR Infra Projects Limited and spot inspection of various components of the project, which is having much importance for Jammu from tourism promotion point of view, sources said.
The exact assessment of expenditure and quantification of work will help the State Government in projecting true picture about the River Tawi Gated Barrage Project before the Madras High Court where Arbitration Petition filed by M/s GVR Infra Projects Limited is still pending for disposal. Several financial and other grave irregularities have been found and the same have been conveyed to Finance Department and it has been pointed out in the audit report that work on the project was never executed strictly as per the plan reflected in the contract signed between Irrigation and Flood Control Department and M/s GVR Infra Projects Limited and this was one of the reasons behind slow pace of work. The existing infrastructure of the project is continuously suffering damages mainly during the monsoon season in the absence of final protection work and had protection work been executed in a well-planned manner continuous damage to the project could have been avoided. Moreover, from time to time the company was paid money in violation of clauses mentioned in the contract, payments were made to the company against those works which were yet to be completed and this amounts to grave financial irregularity on the part of the concerned authorities. It is a matter of serious concern that River Tawi Gated Barrage Project, which on one side will lead to creation of artificial lake for attraction of tourists and on the other side help in providing 120 cusecs of water to huge chunk of agricultural land during peak requirement has met uncertain fate, the government should act immediately to re-start work on the project.

Photo Gallery

BSE Sensex

NSE Nifty