| Staff REPORTER |
ITANAGAR, Sep 28: The All Arunachal Pradesh ‘Socially’ Working Association (AAPSWA) has raised concerns over the execution of the anti-erosion protection project from Jullang towards Naharlagun, alleging deviations from the approved DPR, drawings, BOQ and prescribed construction specifications.
Addressing reporters at the Arunachal Press Club here on Monday, AAPSWA president Tajam Sono said the project, sanctioned at an estimated cost of around Rs 788 crore, has been divided into four reaches and is being executed by the WRD Itanagar Division under the centrally sponsored Flood Management and Border Areas Programme (FMBAP) of the Ministry of Jal Shakti.
Sono said the project was sanctioned in 2024 and is scheduled for completion by March 2027. The NIT was issued for around Rs 783 crore in 2025 and the work was awarded to M/s Samco Construction, he said.
Claiming that the association has monitored the project since its inception, Sono alleged that repeated site observations revealed deviations in certain locations, including reductions in the length of cutoff walls and slab dimensions, variations in counterfort wall heights, improper provision of weep holes, unsystematic paneling, and inadequate filter media and backfilling.
The association also alleged that payments may have been made for certain work items despite corresponding physical works appearing incomplete at some locations. It further claimed that launching apron works had not commenced at some sites and that work in certain reaches was yet to begin.
AAPSWA also raised concerns over alleged damage to gabion protection works and questioned the quality of cement, reinforcement steel and concrete used in the project. It demanded independent laboratory testing of construction materials and concrete strength.
Sono said the concerns had been brought to the notice of the concerned WRD divisional office, senior departmental authorities, the WRD Secretary and the concerned minister through representations, but claimed that a comprehensive independent technical verification had not been undertaken.
The association demanded that further release of funds and payments for the remaining works be withheld until the project is physically, financially and technically re-verified by an independent competent authority.
It also sought joint measurement and technical verification of all four reaches against the approved DPR, drawings, BOQ, sanctioned estimate and NIT, covering major components of the project.
As the project is centrally sponsored, AAPSWA called for verification by competent Government of India authorities and sought rectification or reconstruction of any defective work established through such verification.
The association further demanded a high-level inquiry into the planning, tendering, execution, measurement, supervision, quality control, certification and payment processes, besides fixing responsibility if negligence or dereliction of duty is established.
It also sought vigilance examination of the allegations and said appropriate investigating agencies should be approached if an inquiry establishes prima facie evidence of serious financial misconduct or other offences.
Sono said the association was not opposed to the anti-erosion project but wanted proper utilisation of public funds and adherence to approved technical standards. He added that the findings of any technical and financial verification should be made public.