A contractors’ association has alleged that irregularities worth up to Rs 40 crore occurred in the execution of the Semmozhi Park project in Coimbatore. The association has sent a complaint letter to the Backward Classes Welfare Minister.
According to the letter, the project was originally tendered with an estimated cost of Rs 45 crore. The association claimed that later, under the label of “additional estimates”, more than Rs 40 crore was added from Coimbatore Corporation funds.
The association further alleged that items not included in the original project schedule were used, pushing the total spending from Rs 45 crore to around Rs 80 crore. It said an inspection involving the Public Works Department, private experts and audit officials could reveal inflated bills and alleged fake invoicing.
It also claimed that in some cases, recently laid roads were selected for re-laying, with only about half the work executed while bills were raised for more than 100% of the work. The association urged a re-inspection of works carried out in the last six months to verify measurements and quality, and to take action wherever violations are found.
