Bandipora, May 29 (KNO): Locals in north Kashmir’s Bandipora district have alleged that sub-standard material is being used for the construction of government polytechnic college located in Watapora village. Interestingly, the college is under construction from last more than 8 years.
Locals told news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO), that the concerned contractor was using sub-standard material including, bricks, cement and sand for the construction of remaining two blocks of the college.
Abdul Rahman Dar, Sarpanch Watapora halqa said that he recently visited the construction site and himself witnessed that sub-standard material was being used for the construction of remaining two blocks of the college.
“When is asked the labourers why they were using the sub-standard material they said that it was the contractor and the concerned junior engineer has asked us to use. They said that they would the material provided to them by the contractor,” Dar said.
He said that they are using low quality bricks and expired cement for the construction purpose and if officials pay a visit to the construction site they will themselves come to know what kind of material is being used for the construction purpose.
“The contractor and the concerned JE are misusing the government funds. This is total wastage of public money. Mud is being used instead of quality sand for construction purpose,” he alleged.
Locals said that usage of sub-standard material for the construction purpose is visible from the slab of the college as it has started crumbling even when it’s under construction.
“The officials should visit the construction site and see themselves. They should check the material which is being used for construction purpose. If government has sanctioned huge amount for its construction why that amount should be wasted,” they told KNO
The locals alleged that the concerned JE and the contractor are in league with each other which is why the JE has allowed the constructor to use sub-standard material without even properly checking it.
Pertinently, the construction of the college was taken up in the year 2012 at Watapora Marg but it is yet to be completed even after passing of more than 8 years.
The locals also appealed the Lt. Governor to personally look into the matter and ask the concerned authorities to expedite the construction work by using quality material.
The college building which is being constructed at Watapora Marg by the JKPCC has three blocks but the project has been marred by the slow pace of work for last more than eight years now
An official said that two blocks have been completed but the college is yet to be made functional. The actual cost of the project was Rs 1858 lakh which was revised to Rs. 1300 lakh and an additional amount of Rs. 265 lakhs was also approved for some additional works. Now the total cost of the project stands at Rs. 1565 lakh
A senior official of the district told KNO that he will personally visit the construction site and check whether quality material is being used for construction purpose—(KNO)