Villagers’ complaint prompts inspection of water tank, Engineer-In-Chief instructed to submit inspection report
Flaws uncovered during inspection of water tank, prompting action against responsible officials and contractor
No compromise on quality or delays tolerated: Shri Sao
Raipur 12 February 2024// Deputy Chief Minister and Public Health Engineering Minister Shri Arun Sao has issued instructions to demolish the substandard water tank under construction in Deorhat of Lormi development block of Mungeli district. Deputy Chief Minister Shri Sao, during his recent visit to Deorhat to attend a programme, promptly went to the work site and inspected it upon receiving complaints from villagers about low-quality construction and delays.
He directed the Engineer-In-Chief of the Public Health Engineering Department to inspect the water tank under construction and submit an inspection report. Following the inspection, the work was found to be of poor quality and riddled with flaws. Consequently, the Deputy Chief Minister ordered its demolition and the construction of a new water tank. The demolition of the under-constructed water tank has commenced. The Engineer-In-Chief has also recommended action against the responsible officers and the contractor in the inspection report.
Since assuming the role as Minister of the Public Health Engineering Department, Deputy Chief Minister Shri Arun Sao has stressed the importance of quality construction and timely completion of projects under the Jal Jeevan Mission. He has consistently directed departmental officers in this regard, stating that compromise on quality and delays are unacceptable under any circumstances.
After inspecting the water tank under construction in Deorhat, the Engineer-In-Chief of the Public Health Engineering Department reported that the agency appointed for the construction work, Shri Ram Construction Company from Bijuri (Anuppur), has delivered poor-quality construction and extensively delayed the work. Given the failure to adhere to prescribed standards and quality in the construction of the water tank, it is deemed unfit for public use. This indicates serious negligence on the part of both the contractor and departmental engineers. The third-party inspection agency, Engineering Staff College of India, responsible for overseeing the work, has also been found unsatisfactory.
In light of the negligence during the tank’s construction, the Engineer-In-Chief has instructed the demolition of the substandard water tank and the construction of a new tank meeting prescribed standards. The contractor has been instructed to take proper precautions during the demolition to prevent any untoward incidents.
The inspection report highlights that the reputation of the Jal Jeevan Mission has been tarnished due to the poor quality of construction work. Consequently, the contractor, Shri Ram Construction Company, is prohibited from participating in any work related to the Public Health Engineering Department until further notice. The Engineer-In-Chief has directed the Chief Engineer, Bilaspur, to prepare show cause notices and charge sheets for disciplinary action against the concerned Executive Engineer, Shri I.P. Mandavi, Assistant Engineer Shri S.P. Sonwani, and Deputy Engineer Shri I.S. Kashyap.
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