Newly-built cycle track in a shambles
Action recommended against officials concerned
LUCKNOW: Uprooted bollards, broken concrete blocks and massive encroachment define the state of the cycle track (part of the state government’s flagship project) stretched on a 6km area from Tedhi Pulia to Kursi Road. In view of the deplorable condition of the newly constructed cycle track, the district administration has recommended suspension of the junior engineer (JE) concerned, who ensured the track’s construction .
It has also recommended adverse entry against assistant engineer (AE) and written warning to executive engineer (EE) concerned. The cost of the repair and restoration will be borne by the engineers responsible and contractor.
District magistrate Raj Shekhar said on Saturday the action was initiated on the basis of preliminary findings that said the quality of the material used in the construction of the cycle track was ‘substandard’. “Prima facie the quality of concrete brick work and the concrete partition blocks was found inferior and below standard. On the track around 20 such partition blocks were found damaged,” said the DM while inspecting the track. During the inspection which the DM conducted along with the executive engineer of PWD, the constructing agency, it was also found that the track’s drainage system was ‘faulty’, causing water logging on the track. “Besides, the PWD that is carrying out another construction work near the track has also dumped the constructing material on the track, causing inconvenience to the cyclists,” Shekhar added.
The DM ordered the EE to get the track cleared immediately, while recommending strict action against the erring engineers. “We have also instructed police to remove the encroachment from the track to ensure smooth movement ,” he said .
The district administration’s action is the sequel to a complaint which some concerned citizens lodged about the deplorable condition of the cycle track. The 5.75km long cycle track was constructed at a cost of `7.8 crore.
Prima facie the quality of concrete brick work and the concrete partition blocks was found inferior and below standard. On the track around 20 such partition blocks were found damaged RAJ SHEKHAR, district magistrate