Mananchira-Vellimadukunnu road construction corruption: Minister orders probe

KOZHIKODE: The Mananchira-Vellimadukunnu road project in Kozhikode has come under scrutiny following allegations of corruption and irregularities. Home Minister Ramesh Chennithala has ordered a preliminary inquiry by the Vigilance and Anti-Corruption Bureau (VACB) into the allegations related to the tender process and construction of the road.

The inquiry follows a complaint filed by Kozhikode North MLA K. Jayanth. The complaint alleges that the road was not constructed in accordance with the Detailed Project Report (DPR), causing a huge financial loss to the government. It also alleges that several conditions in the contract were not followed during the construction carried out under the supervision of the Kerala Road Fund Board (KRFB). The Mananchira-Vellimadukunnu road is a busy stretch within the Kozhikode Corporation limits and forms part of the Kozhikode-Wayanad National Highway.

The road was completed in a hurry shortly before the last election and was inaugurated with a road show and celebrations led by then minister P. A. Mohammed Riyas. The project, which was inaugurated amid much fanfare, has now come under the Vigilance scanner following the corruption allegations.

The preliminary inquiry will examine the allegations of irregularities in the tender process and construction and may provide further details about the complaints.