Kerala Public Works Minister M. Vijayakumar has sought a vigilance enquiry into the loss of files from the Secretariat regarding the agreement signed for collection of toll at the Mattancherry Bridge in Kochi.
The file, regarding the agreement signed ten years ago, has been missing from the Secretariat for four years.
Mr. Vijayakumar, who assumed charge as Public Works Minister seven months ago, told The Hindu on Sunday that he had been seeking the file ever since he assumed office. But the file was not to be found.
So, he had written to Chief Minister V. S. Achuthanandan recommending a vigilance enquiry, since serious irregularities had been suspected.
The bridge connecting the Willington Island to the mainland at Thoppumpady was constructed on a build, operate and transfer basis and the toll fixed for recovery of the cost had invited public protests.
The private company, which built the bridge has now filed claims for arbitration and the government is handicapped by its failure to locate relevant files.
