After fund fraud allegations, Akhilesh orders probe on roads in Dimple seat

Kannauj has been sanctioned nearly Rs 100 crore for construction of roads. However, as per complaints reaching the government, most of the roads constructed are sub-standard and some even had been duplicated.

“After visiting various sites, it was found that the roads are of poor quality. It appears prima facie that sub-standard material was used in the construction. I will be doing more site inspections as the probe covers the whole district,” Pankaj Bakaya, Chief Engineer, PWD Kanpur range told The Indian Express.

“Irregularities have been done in the construction. We need to see as to why this had happened and who is behind them. It will take another 10 days to cover all the roads,” Bakaya added.

Sources said that the issue of sub-standard roads being constructed came to light on September 4 when Dr Hariom, secretary, PWD who is also the nodal officer for Kannauj, detected several irregularities. Hariom, in his report to the government, mentioned about poor quality of roads and even “some roads being constructed twice probably for embezzlement of funds”. Escalation of estimates of roads too was noticed in some cases.

Akhilesh took a strong notice of the report and ordered the probe to be conducted by a Chief Engineer rank official of PWD for the roads constructed in Kannauj. Chief Engineer Pankaj Bakaya was later handed over the probe.

Hariom was not available for comment when contacted. Meanwhile, chairperson of Kannauj Municipal Board, Saroj Pathak also raised the issue of alleged financial embezzlement in construction of roads. In a letter to district administration, she claimed that most of the roads had been constructed several times and funds withdrawn. She also mentioned about poor quality of roads which have withered away within three months of their construction.

“PWD did not inform us and started the work. They should have at least taken permission from us as the roads were under our jurisdiction. Most of the Samajwadi Party-backed contractors were given contracts for siphoning away funds,” Saroj Pathak alleged.

She is the mother of Subrat Pathak who had unsuccessfully contested the Lok Sabha polls against Dimple Yadav. However district administration did not take notice of her complaint.“We had requested her to provide us the details about such roads. We will ensure a probe in this matter,” Ramesh Yadav, ADM, said.