Excelsior Correspondent
Srinagar, Apr 12: The Beacon authorities have allegedly disbursed payments to a contractor for railing works along the national highway from Shalteng to Narbal without ensuring adherence to quality standards and project specifications.
According to official records, the contractor was supposed to install nearly 5,000 galvanized posts along the divider of the Highway.
However, an official said that the contractor used posts made of ordinary material instead of galvanized ones, compromising the quality and strength of the installed posts.
As per the specifications, galvanized posts must conform to IS-2629:1985 standards, contrary to what has been installed by the supplier.
According to the contract, the posts were supposed to be illuminated from top to bottom for visibility during the night. However, only a few reflective strips are visible, falling short of the intended design. This has led to compromise on safety of the commuters during night.
The total cost of the project as per records was over Rs 4.69 crore and the railing work spans a total length of 14,900 meters-on the 7.4-kilometer stretch from Shalteng to Narbal in the outskirts of Srinagar.
The official said that the authorities failed to conduct proper quality checks to verify whether the work executed met the stipulated specifications.
The document also specifies that the paint should be in a tricolor pattern, resembling the Indian national flag. However, the official said the contractor has failed to comply with this clause as well, using only plain paint instead.
Additionally, the contract document clearly states that the painting of railings, gates, vertical posts, and other items must include one coat of primer and two coats of branded enamel paint, all to be carried out by the contractor at their own expense-specifications which are also under question.
Despite repeated calls to get the official version, Commander 760 BRFT Amiya Shrivastava didn’t respond.
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