Wai opposition leader seeks probe into Rs 3-crore ghat pathway, says Rs 300 stone costed at Rs 750

A pathway costing about Rs 3 crore has been built at and around the Brahmanshahi Ghat of the Wai Municipal Council. Leader of the Opposition Vijay Dhekane has raised questions about the price of the stone used in the work and the quality of construction. He has demanded an impartial and thorough inquiry into the estimate rates, the material actually used and the expenditure. He also warned that wastage of public money would not be tolerated.

Dhekane alleges that the market rate of the stone used in the pathway is about Rs 250 to 300, but the consultant concerned has shown its price as Rs 750 in the estimate. He asked how such a gap arose between the market rate and the estimate rate, and what was taken as the basis for fixing the price.

According to Dhekane, the stone for the work was brought from Kolhapur and its cost is lower still. He has therefore demanded that the type, quality, thickness and market value of the stone actually used be examined and then compared with the estimate rate.

Dhekane also objected to the quality of the work. He alleges that instructions were to use RMC, or ready-mix concrete, but an ordinary mix was actually used. He said independent experts must inspect the site to check whether the work conforms to the approved technical standards.

He said the work was carried out during the municipal council's period of administrator rule. The administrative approval, the appointment of the consultant, the estimate, the tender process, the approved rate, the material used and the bills paid should therefore be examined, he said. Dhekane stressed that the inquiry should not be limited to paperwork but should also test the quality of the actual work.

Dhekane said, "This work has been done with the money of the people of Wai. Therefore every rupee must be accounted for to the public. The difference between the estimate rate and the market rate must be investigated. The quality of the work must also be checked. The people have elected us by a big margin, and it is our responsibility to keep their trust. If public money is being misused, we will not tolerate it. If needed, we will take to the streets in the public interest."

Dhekane has also demanded that all documents, from the administrative approval to the final bill, be made public. He said the questions raised on price and quality should be answered through an independent inquiry.