After CWG, the CAG slams Delhi Government on the much hyped Signature Bridge project, Government should clarify – Goel

• Sheila ignored the decision taken in the office of Chief Secretary 

New Delhi, 1st April. Yesterday the Congress workers celebrated the 75th birthday of Delhi CM Sheila Dikshit with great pomp and show. BJP Delhi President Vijay Goel wished her good health and said that people of Delhi expected her to be more concerned with their miseries. It has been raining scams in Delhi during her tenure. In 2010, the CAG and the Shunglu Committee both indicted her and her Government for committing corruption in the projects connected with Commonwealth Games. Again, the CAG has slammed the Delhi Government for corrupt practices adopted in the execution of the much hyped “Signature Bridge Project”. 

The CAG has raised serious questions about the use of pre-fabricated steel frames imported from China for construction of Signature Bridge across the Yamuna in East Delhi. 

Goel said that it is a serious issue that there is no mechanism with the Delhi Government to check the quality of material and fabrication work being done in China. This raises concern about the safety of the bridge and it is also against the terms of contract. He asked that what was the reason that the Delhi Government had to revise the estimate six times between May 2005 and October 2009 resulting in avoidable expenditure of about 700 crores? 

Shri Vijay Goel reminded that the contractor itself had appointed the quality control firm. How is it possible that a subordinate agency may truthfully project the defects? 

Shri Goel said that it is not just infrastructural projects which have been marred by corruption but the Chief Minister has failed to provide basic amenities to the people of Delhi. The recent case of Sri Niwaspuri in the posh South Delhi area in which people are being supplied sewer infested drinking water for the last one year. Inspite of repeated complaints by the residents of the area and the representatives of the RWA, the Delhi Government has not heeded any attention to their woes. 

Goel took on Sheila Dikshit for her statement on the issue of street lights. Goel said that the Sheila Dikshit was not aware of the facts when she blamed the MCD and spoke in favour of Delhi Government on disconnecting the street lights of North Delhi. He referred to the minutes of the meeting regarding settlement of arrears held on 8th March in the Office of the Chief Secretary, where order was passed that the Discoms will immediately pay any outstanding e-tax arrears and in exchange respective municipal corporations shall clear the arrears within 31st March, 2013. Ignoring of the above said decision the Discom disconnected supply to the street lights in North Delhi at the behest of Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit. 

Vijay Goel further said that the Chief Minister who is not concerned about the security of the people of her state and who goes to the extent of saying that her daughter herself is not safe in her state, has no right to celebrate her birthday. He referred to the Delhi Police statistics issued recently that number of serious crimes has increased sharply in Delhi since January 1st, 2013. This paints a very disappointing picture of Delhi.