TMC smells scam in contract for 106 bridges

Alphonse said his party wanted to know whether proper estimates had been prepared by the Government before the contracts for construction of 106 bridges were awarded.

He alleged that at no juncture during the construction of these bridges the State Highways Department was made part of it and it was for the first time in the State8217;s history that a government work was being contracted privately.

8220;My information is that the construction costs are more than 200-300 per cent in comparison to the scheduled rates for such works,8221; he alleged adding that these bridges were being constructed through central financial assistance.

Alphonse also alleged that between September 9 and 27 nearly 360 tonnes of bitumen lifted from the public sector Hindustan Petroleum Corporation Ltd had not reached their intended destinations.