Balangir: Leader of Opposition and chairman of public accounts committee (PAC) Narasingha Mishra has slammed the concerned authorities on the issue of bypass road in the town.
At a PAC sub-committee meeting, where officials of the public works department were present, Mishra questioned them about the inordinate delay of the bypass - because of which due to which Balangir residents had taken to the street.
Mishra asked the officials as to on what basis the then minister, Ananag Udaya Singhdeo, a veteran BJD leader, had laid foundation of the bypass in 2001 though there was no financial approval for the project at that time.
The officials sought two days to comply with the query and said they would furnish the reply in written. The officials told Mishra that they had received a revised cost estimate of Rs 165 crore towards land acquisition for the project.
Earlier, the Balangir district administration had sent the revised cost estimate of the bypass at Rs 241 crore, which was returned by the Union ministry of road transport and highways citing some discrepancies.
The bench mark value of land, which was for land acquisition for the bypass, was enhanced.
Mishra asked the officials to find out who was responsible for such corrupt practice and take action against them. After the meeting, Mishra said the works officials have assured him of completing the tender process for the bypass within six months. "They have informed the PAC sub-committee that the tender process would be completed by the next six months," Mishra said.
AICC member Samarendra Mishra has launched counter attack on the ruling parties in the state and at the Centre, accusing them of playing volley ball between them with the bypass road.
Addressing a news conference here, Mishra on Saturday countered the BJD's allegation which had, without naming him, said a powerful MLA was responsible for stalling the project.
"The state has to send the proposal, and the Centre has to grant the fund. The Opposition has no scope to play any role. The allegations are baseless," he said.
