Case will be filed against contractor and engineer if road gets damaged within six months; PWD circular is out

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The government has issued a circular stating that vigilance cases will be registered against the concerned engineers and contractors if the new roads under the Public Works Department get damaged within six months of construction. The order also stated that cases will be registered if the renovated old roads get damaged within six months of repair.

The Secretary of the Public Works Department stated in the circular that FIR will be registered and a vigilance investigation will be conducted even if potholes are formed on the road. The action comes in the wake of the High Court's direction that a case should be filed against those concerned if the roads get damaged within six months. The government had received criticism from various corners because of the deplorable condition of the roads and the frequent accidental deaths due to them.

The circular is applicable to roads for which a certificate of completion of construction or maintenance is issued henceforth. The case will not be filed if the collector reports that the road was destroyed due to natural calamity. The circular also states that vigilance investigation can be conducted in any case where criminal action is found to be necessary.

The vigilance should complete the investigation within six months and submit the report to the concerned court. It should also conduct an investigation against the engineers and contractors and submit the report within three months if the roads get damaged within one year. An FIR will be registered and further action will be taken if lapses are foundon the part of those concerned.