The standing committee of the BJP-led NDMC today ordered an "internal audit" into the financial planning of the much-delayed Rani Jhansi flyover project in north Delhi, after a party councillor alleged "cost escalation" during its execution.
Senior officials of the North Delhi Municipal Corporation (NDMC), however, rejected the charge, saying there had been "no cost escalation" or "any irregularity" in the ambitious project that seeks to decongest the area.
The 1.6-km-long flyover from near St Stephen's Hospital to Filmistaan Cinema, was originally scheduled to be completed by September 2010, but has missed several deadlines.
Lt Governor Anil Baijal on June 23 had inspected the site of the under-construction Rani Jhansi Grade Separator, and directed various departments to complete the work ahead of August 15.
During a meeting of the standing committee of the corporation today, BJP councillor Neeraj Gupta alleged that "cost of the project had been escalated and people in the NDMC, if involved in it, should be held accountable".
He also alleged that there were other irregularities in the execution of the project, such as use of "waste material to fill the back side of ramps of the flyover, but cost was being accrued for superior quality Yamuna sands".
A senior official countered the allegations levelled by the councillor with a detailed response during the course of the meeting, saying, "The amount meant to be paid to the contractor has been proposed to be increased in view of the increased quantum of work."
The civic official, during an interaction with the reporters later, said, "The expenditure sanction for the scheme was Rs 177.72 crore as accorded by the then unified MCD in 2006. In 2014, the scheme amount was revised to Rs 724.22 crore which was also approved by the LG."
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