The Hindu Business Line : Panel recommends action against Gammon India

Hyderabad, Sept. 28 The inquiry panel that probed the Punjagutta flyover mishap early this month has recommended action against Gammon India Ltd, the EPC contractor for the project.

The expert committee set up by the Andhra Pradesh Government felt that the company should bear all the costs, direct and indirect, concerned with loss to individuals and companies.

It also wanted the Government to levy a penalty of 10 per cent of the total project cost (Rs 28.90 crore) on the company.

The committee submitted its report to Mr Koneru Ranga Rao, Minister for Municipal Administration, here on Thursday. Dr Y.S. Rajasekhara Reddy, Chief Minister, would go into the report and take necessary action.

Two persons were killed and several injured when eight pre-cast blocks caved in at the busy junction on September 9.

Following a public outcry on the quality of construction, the Government appointed a committee comprising four technical experts to look into the mishap.

After studying the issue and receiving answers from stakeholders, the committee felt that there was no problem with the pre-cast segmental construction, “which is a state-of-the-art technology suited for construction in heavy traffic areas.”

It, however, attributed the fault to the temporary supporting structure, which could not withstand the heavy downpour, and collapsed, leading to the fall of eight segments.

The panel also called for levying a penalty of 10 per cent of the total agreement amount on the Tanikella Integrated Consultants and Tandon Consultants, who are the project management consultants.

Pipeline trenches

While calling for severe disciplinary action against the officials of Hyderabad Metro Water Supply and Sewerage Board responsible for digging of trenches to lay a pipeline in the area, the panel suggested that pipeline trenches or any other trenches dug in the city should be properly refilled and restored to original conditions.

The probe panel felt that the Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation, being the owner of the project, has a moral responsibility and called for action against those responsible for the execution.

Supporting structures for any construction activity should always rest on firm ground, it pointed out.

With regard to continuation of work on the flyover project, the panel suggested that permission might be granted to resume work, while regulating the traffic strictly.

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