The Vigilance and Anti-Corruption Bureau (VACB) is likely to question officials of Roads and Bridges Development Corporation of Kerala Limited (RBDCK) and KITCO, a consultancy in which the State government has a stake, in connection with its investigation into the shoddy construction of the National Highway flyover at Palarivattom in Kochi.
Director, VACB, Anil Kant, and IG, H. Venkatesh on Monday held a closed-door meeting with investigators in Kochi to shape the contours of the anti-corruption investigation that could have political ramifications.
A New Delhi-based construction firm had executed work during the tenure of the Oommen Chandy government. IUML leader V.K. Ebrahim Kunju was at the helm of the Public Works Department at the time. Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan inaugurated the flyover immediately after his government assumed power in May 2016.
PWD Minister G. Sudhakaran had requested a team of IIT experts to evaluate the construction after the flyover developed cracks on its superstructure and potholes on the tarmac.
Low-quality material
The team found that the builders had used low-quality concrete and conserved on construction steel to squeeze profits.
The VACB, with technical experts in tow, used the expert report as a yardstick to make their inspections of the flyover.
The agency appeared to be of the view that officials responsible for monitoring the construction had absolved their responsibility to enable the contractor to make an undue pecuniary gain at the expense of public safety and the exchequer.
It would also examine the allegation that the contractor had further subcontracted segments of the construction to persons with little building expertise.
A senior official said the agency would move for registration of FIRs.
