Flaws in Kooriyad designs, PAC seeks strict action against responsible officials

NEW DELHI: The report of the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) has criticized the construction of the national highway in Kerala. The criticism is in the report submitted by the PAC in the Parliament. The committee recommended a comprehensive audit of the functioning of the National Highway Authority. The report also said that the National Highway Authority has admitted that there was a flaw in the Kooriyad designs. It also recommended strict action against the officials responsible for this.

While deciding on the design in each state, public representatives including MPs and state experts should be consulted. Companies that have defaulted should be blacklisted and contracts should not be awarded in the future. The PAC expressed concern in awarding subcontracts at very low rates.

The contract for the Kadampattukonam-Kazhakkoottam road was awarded for Rs 3684 crore. However, the report clearly states that the subcontract was given for Rs 795 crore. It has been found that the average of subcontracts in Kerala is only 54 percent of the tender amount. The PAC recommended that the Ministry of Transport conduct a detailed assessment of the subcontracts and that the National Highways Authority should have a mechanism to prepare and approve the design. It also suggested that a special regulatory authority be formed to decide the toll.