Large-scale irregularities detected in UP smart city projects

Under Smart city projects, large-scale irregularities were detected during the surprise physical inspection of laying sewage and drinking water pipelines work in the old Kashi area in Varanasi. During a surprise inspection, when the minister of Uttar Pradesh Neelkanth Tiwari removed newly-laid stone plates himself to monitor the quality of the work, he found large-scale irregularities. Sewage and water supply's old pipelines are being replaced in the old Kashi area's serpentine lanes under the Smart city project. The minister along with other public representatives arrived in the narrow lanes of the city south assembly constituency on Wednesday. Tiwari took the spade and removed newly laid stone plates revealing large-scale irregularities during the surprise physical inspection of the laying sewage and drinking water pipelines work. According to Tiwari, in the contract condition, after replacing the old pipelines of sewage and water supply with the new ones, three layers of plain cement concrete (PCC) have been directed. He said only one layer of PCC was found, and the quality was also not found satisfying. Three-day time has been given to the contractors and officials concerned for corrective actions to avoid punitive action against them. During his visit, he also detected laxity in water supply and sewage connections at multiple places. People of Kaivalya Gali, Tripura Bhairavi, Meerghat, Kalika Gali, Vishwanath corridor, Rani Bhawani Gali, Ahilyabai, Maan Mandir, and adjoining regions also informed the minister of the ground realities of the work and difficulties faced by them due to delay in work completion. During the minister’s inspection, the officials of Jal-Kal, Smart city Limited, and Varanasi Development Authority were urged to do the proper listing of faults detected to guarantee timely correction. Image Source Also read: Only 46% projects under Smart Cities Mission completed in six years