Road repair scam probe finds Rs 959cr embezzled

Mumbai:  The second phase of investigation into the road repair scam by the Brihanmumbai Munici-pal Corporation (BMC) has found nearly 100 per cent irregularities in road repair and reconstruction. So much so, that it has recommended sacking of six engineers (including four from the first phase) for their alleged involvement in the scam.

The first phase of the inquiry revealed that around Rs 352 crore had been misappropriated by contractors while the second phase revealed nearly Rs 959 crore to have been misappropriated. 

The report said, “Almost 100 per cent irregularities have been found in the layers of sand blanket, metal, granular sub base and wet mix macadam material used for repair and reconstruction work.”

The BMC found irregularities worth Rs 352 crore in 234 road works. Of these, 34 works had been inspected in the first phase itself. Out of 100 engineers, 96 were found guilty and only four were exonerated. Four engineers were also sacked from municipal services. In the second phase of inquiry, 200 roads were inspected. The second phase looked into the role of close to 200 officials.