Design flaws, cracks, seepage in Pragati Maidan tunnel threat to life: PWD to L&T

In response, an L&T spokesperson said: “PWD, Delhi, is an esteemed client and we value the long years of association we have enjoyed with them. However, L&T would like to state that a counterclaim of Rs 500 crore has been made by the company against PWD, Delhi.”
The firm also executed the Central Vista redevelopment project.

According to the notice issued by the PWD to the firm, the “fault in design” and “other quality parameter-related issues” can’t be resolved without a “major revamp and maintenance/overhaul of the entire project”. These include deficiencies in the integrated transit corridor that runs along Mathura Road, Bhairon Marg, Mahatma Gandhi Marg, and connecting Mathura Road to Mahatma Gandhi Marg via an underground tunnel below Pragati Maidan.

“… the most glaring (and) alarming issue was accumulation of water across various locations in the tunnel/underpasses. This issue, especially during the monsoon, rendered the entire project non-operation(al) for the public and ultimately ended up causing far more blockages and congestion along arterial roads of the entire New Delhi area, which defeated the very purpose of this ambitious project,” said the PWD.

The PWD also pulled L&T for delay in completing the Bhairon Marg underpass, which passes below railway tracks. It said that the inspection of this project also revealed that it suffers from serious “design issues and technical hurdles”.

“You… are hereby being put to notice in respect of the serious deficiencies that have been identified in… project undertaken by your company and the consequent damages as well as losses which are being incurred by the government entities in managing and operating the project and potential threat the construction poses to the life of passengers utilising the tunnels and underpasses in its current state…,” said the PWD in the notice issued to L&T.

According to PWD, representatives from the construction company were aware of the issues and even accompanied government officials on multiple site inspections but did not address issues.

Other major issues include:

• Continuous leakage noticed and identified from some expansion joints of the tunnel
• Large cracks in concrete/cement at various places
• Waterlogging, malfunctioning of drainage systems across the tunnel
• Damage and non-uniformity of a large number of kerbstones
• Patches of branch tunnel with ITPO parking not cleaned for a long time
• Missing saucer drains at various locations
• Water dripping from the tunnel’s ceiling and unexplained seepage of groundwater under the concrete surface are damaging murals and paintings on the walls

Saying that the repair and maintenance cost should be borne by the company, the notice added, “… in case your company fails to undertake remedial measures and the same is undertaken by the employed, then your company would be liable to pay costs of remedial measures along with an additional 20% of the cost incurred (as damages)…”

The PWD also said despite repeated communications and requests, the issues have remained “unaddressed for over two months”.
Pointing out that the public suffering due to these issues can be “misrepresented as an act of negligence on the part of the government”, the PWD said: “… your repeated attempts at evading responsibility are unacceptable and they only make you liable under extant civil as well as criminal law…”

L&T has been asked to reply to the notice as to why it should not be banned from undertaking any government-funded construction projects in Delhi. “In the interim, your company is directed to immediately deposit a minimum token amount of Rs 500 crore… and… initiate repair…,” said the notice.