Vigilance Dept to probe multi-crore Raipur Sky walk project

     Raipur, Dec 26, 2022: Bhupesh Baghel government in Chhattisgarh today decided to hand over the multi-crore sky walk construction irregularities matter to the state vigilance department for further probe.

     The Anti-Corruption Bureau and the Economic Office Wing of the state government would probe the Rs 77 crore project to construct the Sky Walk in the heart of the capital city Raipur by the previous Dr Raman Singh government, official sources said.

     Prima facie irregularities were found, because of which the matter has been decided to hand over the ACB and EOW for a detailed probe, the sources said.

     To avoid getting approval from a high level committee, the PWD department had twice made the estimates for the Rs 77 crore project, the sources alleged.

     The project was also not vetted from the PFIC whether the Raipur Sky Walk project was for the public benefit or not, they added.

     In gross irregularities, the PWD Department had sent a revised estimate to the Finance Department on December 5, 2018 when Model Code of Conduct was in force in the state after the assembly election was declared by the Election Commission of India, the sources alleged.

     “This is a clear indication that the file was moved to give benefit to the officials and contractors engaged in the Sky Walk project,” a government report suggested.

     For the construction of the Sky walk tender was issued on February 4, 2017 and only 15 days had been given to submit the papers, the sources said adding the tender was issued even when the PWD Department had not obtained the administrative approval from the Finance Department.

    Why tender was called giving only a fortnight time, was never clarified in the noting nor proper approval was obtained in the file to issue the tender notice giving 15 days period, the sources said.