CBI to probe Pune-Satara toll project after Maharashtra govt approval

09 Aug 2021 CW Team

The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) wrote to the Maharashtra government for consent to probe the alleged irregularities in the toll project of Pune-Satara.

According to the sources, CBI wants to investigate the role of the National Highways Authority of India's (NHAI) contractors and officials and Reliance Infrastructure.

Last year in October, in the background of the probe into the television rating points (TRP) case, taken over by the federal agency, the government withdrew its consent to CBI to probe the state's case. General consent is needed for the CBI to register any offence in the state. In its absence, the central agency should approach the state government on a case-to-case basis to seek permission for the investigation. Maharashtra government is among the four states to withdraw the general consent from the agency.

The activist Pravin Wategaonkar had alleged that the Pune-Satara toll collection project of the six-lane highway was given to Reliance Infra for 24 years, including construction for 30 months in 2010. Reliance Infra formed a Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV) in the Pune-Satara Toll Road, but the project is still not completed at the complaint's filing time with the CBI in 2020.

According to the agreement, the project was to be completed by March 2013. Taking into account the grace period of nine months, the project was to be completed by December 2013, the complaint said.

On the project, AC&AG reported alleged fund diversions to mutual fund investment by the contractor. According to the contract, the contractor's equity, bank loan, and fees collection was strictly laid down in the project's contract.

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