CVC wants details of Zojila tunnel contract cancellation

New Delhi, October 20

The Central Vigilance Commission (CVC) has sought details from the Road Transport and Highways Ministry over cancellation of Rs 10,050-crore Zojila tunnel contract in Jammu and Kashmir.

The ministry in March ordered “rebidding” of the contract, which was earlier given to IRB Infrastructure.

The CVC has sought further clarification on the matter from the Chief Vigilance Officer of the ministry with regard to reasons of withdrawal of the contract, which is still awaited, official sources said today.

Congress general secretary Digvijay Singh had in January written to the CVC alleging that Road Transport and Highways Minister Nitin Gadkari had violated the commission’s guidelines while awarding the contract.

Gadkari had rubbished the charges of corruption and termed Digvijay Singh’s allegations as “completely false”.

Following the Congress leader’s letter, the CVC had conducted an intensive examination of the construction of the Zojila tunnel, which was done in February. Subsequently, the contract given to IRB Infrastructure was cancelled in March.

The company had on January 3 intimated the BSE about the letter of award for construction, operation and maintenance of the Zozila tunnel, including approaches on NH-1 (Srinagar-Sonmarg- Gumri road) on the design, build, finance, operate and transfer (annuity) basis.

Soon after the award, the Road Transport Ministry had said all due processes in line with the Cabinet approval were followed in the award of strategic Rs 10,050-crore contract to IRB Infrastructure.

The statement had come a day after the Congress had demanded sacking of Gadkari, alleging that the award was a “clear case of corruption at the highest level”. — PTI