Flaws confirmed in Rajiv Rahadari

• House Committee submits report
• Recommends appointment of Land Acquisition Officer
• Several changes all along the road
• Hans/HMTV expose yields results

Hyderabad: The House Committee that was constituted to inquire into the irregularities in laying of four lane road from Hyderabad to Karimnagar in its report confirmed that there have been several irregularities in one of the most important road works in the state and has recommended that the government appoint a Special Land Acquisition Officer for the entire Rajiv Rahadari road.

It may be mentioned here that The Hans India and HMTV had exposed the irregularities in this massive project during September, 2011 following which the Chairman of the Legislative Council, A Chakrapani, constituted a House Committee to probe into the alleged irregularities. The 11-member Committee was headed by T.Bhanuprasada Rao of Congress.

The Committee in its report, tabled in the Council during the just concluded session, has strongly recommended that strict action should be taken against all those responsible for missing of note file and financial feasibility report, adopt a policy as adopted by National Highway Authority of India (NHAI). Whenever NHAI takes up four lane work, they will acquire the land for six lanes.

The Committee was also of the opinion that the concessionaire failed miserably in taking up proper safety precautions during construction. It said no precautionary sign boards were installed in most of the places. It also felt that the concessionaire violated the agreement by filling substandard soil without removing the bituminous layer in the median. This will destruct the plant growth in the median and hence the Committee recommended that necessary action be taken in the completed portion and special attention be given for the rest of the road.

The Committee also feels that the design of the pedestrian under pass (PUP) and cattle under pass (CUP) was not as per Indian road standards specifications in almost all the villages. It also felt that the PUP at Annasagar village be eliminated or should be improved by increasing the size to 6m from present 3.5 m. It further said that the PUPs at Shameerpet and Turkapally be eliminated and a flyover be provided at both the places as Shameerpet is fast becoming a satellite township of Hyderabad city and in such a developed area, planning for PUP is a miserable decision. It also recommended that the government maintain the minimum width of service roads as 6 m on each side all along the Rajiv Rahadari.

Among other recommendations are by pass roads at Pragnapur, Kukunoorpally, Sultanabad and Peddpally, clear passage from one side to other by giving break in the median at Siddipet Dhaba area, construction of vehicle under pass (VUP) at Rangadhampally, Husnabad junction and Garrepally village. It also recommended construction of three VUPs one each at Ramagundam, Godavarikhani and NTPC as they are densely populated areas and at Indaram village.

The House Committee observed that the concerned departments should have taken many factors into consideration, before taking up such important roads under design build finance operate and transfer (DBFOT) system. The report said the concessionaire, while designing the road had violated the standards in many aspects. The Committee members said that during their field visits and a thorough probe they felt that the concessionaire had not achieved the high standards in the appearance and aesthetic quality of project highway and hence it has recommends that the government take utmost care to achieve the targeted quality. The Council Chairman will forward the report to the Government which will examine it take necessary action.