The Uttarakhand Public Works Department (PWD) has suspended three engineers, including an executive engineer, after the approach road to a newly built bridge over the Tons River at Nanda Ki Chowki was damaged. The bridge is located on the old Dehradun-Paonta Sahib National Highway.
Executive Engineer Rajesh Kumar, Assistant Engineer Amit Kumar Tyagi and Junior Engineer Naveen Gairola have been suspended in connection with the incident. The suspension orders were issued by PWD Secretary Pankaj Pandey.
The newly constructed Tons River bridge at Premnagar (Nanda Ki Chowki) in Dehradun was badly damaged on July 28 after heavy rain. The approach road, along with part of the bridge, sank. The project had cost around Rs 16 crore and the bridge had been opened for traffic only 16 days earlier, on July 12.
A preliminary investigation has pointed to technical shortcomings and possible lapses in monitoring the construction work as the likely reasons for the damage.
An office order issued by the state government on August 7 said the initial inquiry had found several serious technical gaps. It noted that the design consultant was supposed to prepare a plan for diverting the river during the work, but no such design was prepared.
The inquiry also found that proper river-training work was not carried out. Such measures were considered necessary to manage the river's flow, the slope of the riverbed and its winding course. Because of these shortcomings, the river water became concentrated around one section of the bridge. This caused severe erosion around the upstream side of the bridge abutment. The erosion created a hollow space beneath the approach road, eventually leading to its collapse.
The government has prima facie described the incident as a serious case of negligence in handling public works and inadequate supervision. The order said Executive Engineer Rajesh Kumar failed to properly perform his duties related to technical oversight, quality checks, adherence to contract terms and overall execution of the project.
Given the seriousness of the matter, Rajesh Kumar has been suspended with immediate effect under the Uttarakhand Government Servants (Discipline and Appeal) Rules, 2003.
Assistant Engineer Amit Kumar Tyagi and Junior Engineer Naveen Gairola have also been placed under suspension in connection with the incident. Further departmental proceedings will be initiated against all three officials.
During the suspension period, the three officials will receive subsistence allowance in accordance with the applicable financial rules. Rajesh Kumar has been attached to the office of the Chief Engineer, Public Works Department, Dehradun. He has also been directed not to leave the headquarters without prior approval from the competent authority.
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