Pratap Sarnaik has called for an investigation of the projects undertaken by IVRCL in Maharashtra.
The Kolkata bridge collapse incident which has claimed the lives of 25 people has a Maharashtra connection. Even though the construction firm IVRCL had claimed the tragedy as an act of god but police have filed a case of culpable homicide and sealed the offices of the company. The organisation has undertaken several construction projects in Maharashtra. It has also bagged several irrigation projects in the state. The Sion-Panvel Highway was constructed by the firm Sion-Panvel Tollways Private Limited. There was a joint venture between this firm, Kakde construction and IVRCL for the highway construction work. IVRCL has undertaken flyover and road construction work in Mumbai and other parts of Maharashtra state. In addition to PWD projects, IVRCL has bagged some under contracts under the Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana (PMGSY). At present, the firm is involved in several road projects in districts like Pune, Satara, Yavatmal, Chandrapur, Wardha.
Shiv Sena MLA Pratap Sarnaik has demanded for an inquiry to be conducted against IVRCL for ascertaining whether there have been any irregularities on the part of the firm while developing infrastructure projects in the state.
He said, “An investigation of the projects undertaken by IVRCL in Maharashtra should be carried out. If the firm has violated any norms then strict action must be taken against it. They must be held accountable for the work done by them.”
Former Chief Minister of Maharashtra Prithviraj Chavan said, “The infrastructure project implementation is being carried out by IVRCL in Maharashtra state. If they fail to complete these projects within stipulated time frame then their contracts should be terminated by the government.”
West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee blamed the erstwhile Left Front government for the tragedy. The party was in power when the construction work of the flyover had commenced. She said, “The tender was passed in 2009 by the erstwhile Left Front government and was given to Hyderabad-based IVRCL Construction,” adding that the company had not provided the government details of the construction plan despite several reminders.
On the other hand, K.Panduragna Rao, a representative of the Hyderabad-based construction company IVRCL, which was contracted to build the giant flyover, called the disaster an “act of God”.
The state government announced Rs 5 lakh ex-gratia to kin of those killed in the flyover collapse and Rs 2 lakh for the injured. Forensic experts visited the site and collected samples of materials used for the construction for examination.
