FIR sought to be registered over CAG report on monorail

Citing the Comptroller and Auditor General of India's report, a city-based lawyer has filed a complaint with the court against the planning body MMRDA and private contractors of the monorail project in Mumbai for alleged violation of rules and corruption.
MMRDA, its contractors and architects have committed a grave crime by endangering the safety and life of the people of Mumbai and those who travel by monorail, says the complaint filed by advocate Vivekanand Gupta.
"On the pretext that monorail is the first (such) project in the country, the cost has been escalated to Rs 2,716 crore from the initial estimate of Rs 1,539 crore," it adds.

CAG report points out several flaws in the two-phase Chembur-Wadala-Jacob Circle project, including non-transparent selection of consultants and finalisation of the project's benchmark price, not adhering to contract terms and conditions, etc., it says.
CAG has also pointed out use of lower-grade concrete and procurement of escalators without tendering, it says.
The monorail also does not conform to earthquake-resistant designs, Gupta has said, seeking registration of FIR against director (Monorail), Chief Engineer of MMRDA, Chief Transport and Communication Officer Transport and Communication Department, Louis Berger Group, and Team One Architect (India) under Indian Penal Code and Prevention of Corruption Act.