Irregularities in NH renovation; MP Ariff forwards letter seeking vigilance probe

Alappuzha: Alleging irregularities in the renovation of National Highway-66, MP A M Ariff has forwarded a letter to PWD minister P A Mohammed Riyas demanding vigilance probe into the incident. Ariff has pointed out in the letter that huge irregularities took place in the renovation of the NH when G Sudhakaran was the PWD minister.

The portion of the NH-66 from Aroor to Cherthala X-Ray junction was renovated in 2019 using German Technology. The road had a guarantee of 3 years but it was totally damaged within a year. There were serious lapses in its construction though Rs 36 crore was spent for it, it is noted in Ariff’s letter.

The portion of the NH was renovated using Rs 36 crore granted by the centre as requested by the PWD when G Sudhakaran was the minister. It is noteworthy that Ariff’s allegation came when factional feud is escalating within the CPM in Alappuzha.

However, A M Ariff reacted that the current issue has no connection with the factional feud. ‘The letter was forwarded considering the pathetic condition of the road. Contractors and engineers are responsible for the issue. Sudhakaran took up the renovation sincerely,’ Ariff added.