CVC picks nits in Games projects

The report,available with The Indian Express,reveals that quality checks and inspections were carried out at the Siri Fort Sports Complex,Shivaji Stadium,Talkatora Swimming pool and at several CWG-related projects including upgrade of street lighting and construction of elevated roads.

The findings
New Delhi MuniCipal council
* The CVC alleges “large-scale compromise of quality” of work based on an analysis of 12 of 15 samples of concrete slabs tested. The core samples extracted from already laid concrete at CWG sites failed the strength test — they showed 50-80 per cent of required strength — and cement in them was “far less than prescribed limits.”
* The CVC claims that “forged records of testing were prepared” since the third party for quality assurance — appointed by the NDMC — failed to detect this.
* The CVC has also alleged that NDMC awarded CWG contracts at inflated rates to “mislead the tender accepting authority.”

Public Works Department
* For one project,Rs 3.68 crore was wrongly added to cost evaluation for labour transportation charges though no transportation charges were actually incurred as labour camps were situated at the project site itself.
* Basic rates of important materials and labour were jacked up up to 36 per cent.
* Rs 25.84 crore “unjustifiably” spent by paying 25 per cent extra for labour and machinery for work during night shifts which is not prescribed in regulations.
* For the construction of an elevated road over the Barapulla Nallah from the Sarai Kale Khan area,the Delhi College of Engineering was supposed to submit a monthly inspection report but not a single inspection report was submitted.

Municipal Corporation of Delhi
* The 25 per cent escalation cost added by the MCD for CWG projects such as construction of the road under bridge at the Prem Nagar/Sewa Nagar Railway crossing was “not in order.” Overhead charges of 25 per cent were taken into account for justification of the entire project comprising construction of road,wall,side drain,footpath and so on in violation of guidelines.
* For all tenders above Rs 10 crore,only MCD contractors were considered.

Delhi Development Authority
* The CVC has listed “deficiencies” during technical inspection of training facilities,fitness centre and athletic track being built by the DDA near the CWG Village.
* For construction of the indoor stadium for badminton and squash at the Siri Fort Sports Complex,the estimate cost of the work was Rs 118 crore with the Board clearing a 21per cent escalation. Eventually,the project was warded at Rs 154 crore,which is more than 30 per cent of the estimated cost.

RITES
* For the rugby practice venue at Jamia Millia,the agreement provided basic rates for stones and tiles but the contractor used material of lesser basic rate without any cost adjustment.
* Specialised items such as aluminum composite panes and acoustic panes were different (cheaper) than the agreement specification but no cost adjustment was done.

Spokespersons of the various agencies mentioned in the report could not be contacted for their comments.