CAG flays Odisha govt for ineffective implementation of Biju Setu Yojana

Under the programme, the state government planned construction of 600 bridges during 2011-14

The Comptroller & Auditor General of India (CAG) has faulted the Odisha government for ineffective implementation of the Rs 2,078.13 crore Biju Setu Yojana (BSY). The programme was launched in October 2011 to bridge the missing links on road of rural development department and strategically important panchayat samiti roads belonging to the panchayati raj department.

Under the programme, the state government planned to construct 600 bridges during 2011-14. Small bridges with reasonable approach road were to be built to provide instant connectivity to the people in inaccessible areas.

The CAG conducted audit in January-February this year to assess adequacy of planning, efficiency in utilisation of funds, selection of works, tendering and economy in execution of works through test checked records of Engineer in Chief, Rural Works (RW) and eight RW divisions relating to the period 2011-14.

“Audit noticed that during 2011-14, out of 600 bridges planned for construction, only 547 bridges were taken up, of which only 156 were completed leaving 391 bridges incomplete. In the test checked eight divisions, out of 93 bridges taken up for construction, 65 were to be completed by February 2015. Of these 65 bridges, construction of only 18 was completed and only 12 of them were completed in time”, stated the CAG report on ‘General and Social Sector’ for the year ended March 2014.

CAG attributed the delay in completion of projects to change in general alignment drawing, non-availability of land, delay in approval of tender and execution of agreement.

According to BSY guidelines, bridges should be constructed on such sites of rivers/nallah where no other bridge is existing within 10 km upstream or downstream of the proposed site and length should not be less than 25 metres.

However, audit noted that selection of sites for construction of 13 bridges with estimated cost of Rs 20.62 crore were made in violation of the guidelines.