MAPUSA
The construction work on a footpath stretching from the Mapusa court junction to the North Goa District Hospital has come under scrutiny following allegations of substandard materials being used.
The contractor responsible for the project, valued at around ₹2.40 crore and projected to increase to ₹3 crore, is accused of using a poor-quality concrete mixture, which may compromise the durability of the footpath and accompanying drainage system.
A concerned resident of Parra, Atmaram Gadekar raised the alarm about the issue, claiming that the contractor was using a concrete mix containing one bucket of cement, five buckets of sand, and six buckets of metal stones.
This falls short of the recommended M20 grade mix of one bucket of cement, 1.5 buckets of sand, and three buckets of metal stones.
Gadekar criticized this alleged shortcut, noting, "Inferior quality concrete is being utilized for the construction of the drain and footpath in Mapusa. This selection is inadequate for ensuring the longevity of infrastructure, particularly for drains that demand resilience."
Highlighting potential wastage of taxpayer money, Gadekar added, “It is disconcerting that public funds are being squandered in such construction malpractices, where the integrity of the work is sacrificed for personal benefit.”
The complainant has now escalated the matter by filing complaints with the Goa Police’s Anti-Corruption Branch, the vigilance department and other relevant authorities, calling for immediate intervention.
He has urged that the project be thoroughly inspected and substandard portions rectified to ensure quality and accountability in public work.
The project spans approximately 1.5 kilometers from the Mapusa court to the district hospital.
The Mapusa Municipal Council (MMC) has also issued a separate tender for a similar footpath on the opposite side of the road, covering around 620 metres.
Despite the presence of an MMC supervisor, Gadekar claims, the poor-quality concrete mix was still used, alleging corruption and collusion in the project’s oversight.
He also criticized the engineering team and MMC supervisors for failing to oversee the construction site regularly.
"Taxpayers' funds are being misappropriated through fraudulent practices in substandard construction projects,” Gadekar asserted.
He has called for an investigation into the ongoing work and urged authorities to terminate the contractor’s contract and blacklist them to prevent future issues.
A senior official in the technical department of the MMC, speaking anonymously, confirmed that they have received Gadekar’s complaint and have launched an investigation.
“We have taken up the matter and adequate measures have been put in place to ensure proper work as per standard is done,” the official stated.
Gadekar’s complaint has sparked significant public interest, with many calling for transparency and stricter quality control measures in public infrastructure projects.
