Chandigarh: Estimates of development projects ‘outlandish’, MP asks DC for audit

The inflated estimates first came to light when councillors, citing the Municipal Corporation’s financial crisis, approached Tewari to fund small development works through MPLADS. Once the estimates were prepared, their figures were found to be several times higher than prevailing market rates.

According to officials, the Engineering Department pegged the cost of one solar light at nearly Rs 70,000 and a cement bench at Rs 40,000. In comparison, the same solar lights are available for about Rs 11,000, while Tewari himself had installed similar cement benches in his previous constituency for just Rs 2,400 each.

An estimate for a public toilet in Sector 38C was pegged at Rs 17 lakh. Similarly, for the installation of just five solar lights, the engineering department demanded Rs 3.51 lakh. In another case, the cost of installing 10 cement benches was pegged at Rs 4.03 lakh.

In Hallomajra, the cost estimate for paving five streets with paver blocks was set at Rs 41 lakh. Such inflated figures have raised strong objections from Tewari, who has now written to Deputy Commissioner Nishant Kumar Yadav demanding a thorough audit of the estimates.

When contacted, Tewari said, “I was extremely perturbed by this completely outlandish estimates, and thus I have asked the Chandigarh DC to take action against the officers preparing these estimates.”

DC Yadav confirmed that he has received the communication from the MP, raising concerns over the high cost estimates.

The MP has also flagged irregularities in CCTV installation projects, asking for clear specifications to avoid manipulation in cost. While the Engineering Department has offered clarifications following Tewari’s letter, sources say he remains unconvinced and may escalate the matter to the ministry for a high-level probe.

This is not the first time concerns have been raised. The Principal Director of Audit (Central), Chandigarh, had earlier flagged similar issues in the UT Engineering Department’s 2020–21 audit. The report noted that estimates for 10 projects were significantly inflated, as contractors executed them at discounts ranging between 17.75 per cent and 81.86 per cent, indicating that the projected costs were far above realistic levels.