New Delhi: The Delhi High Court On Tuesday, the officials were reprimanded and made suggestions regarding the poor condition of the flyover built near Natthu Colony Chowk less than ten years ago. CBI investigationThe repair and reopening was done after a PIL was filed by BJP MLA Jitendra Mahajan requesting the Delhi government, PWD and TTDC. Nathu Colony Chowk Flyover,
A bench of Chief Justice Manmohan and Justice Tushar Rao Gedela said that despite structural concerns, no internal investigation was conducted and a report pending since 2021 indicated the possibility of a cover-up of corruption.
“You appointed the consultant in 2021. We are in November 2024. Why did this report not come from their side? Have you handed over the case to CBI or anyone? This kind of fabrication has happened. Who are the people please tell us that Involved in this 2015 scam, this matter should be investigated.”
Additionally, the court said that the CBI would identify those responsible, adding that the authorities failed to conduct an internal assessment.
The bench questioned the Delhi government counsel about the structural weakness of the relatively new flyover and compared it with structures from the 1980s that are still operational.
“How can your structure be so weak? It is not even 10 years old. Can a flyover like this, on which you have spent crores, collapse? All the flyovers built in the 1980s are still functioning. And yours was constructed in 2015 and is in a dilapidated condition. It doesn’t take a magician to understand why these flyovers are collapsing, you have to order some investigation into this matter.”
The court expressed serious concerns about public safety and questioned the response of the authorities structural defectHe criticized the solution of restricting heavy traffic on the flyover.
The bench further questioned the issuance of completion certificate highlighting the absence of internal investigation and destruction of evidence.
On November 25, the court had expressed its displeasure over the funding disagreement between PWD and TTDC regarding the repairs.
PWD representatives argued that TTDC, which had constructed the flyover in 2015, should take over the repair work. TTDC responded that they were waiting for PWD funds, including Rs 8 crore from the initial contractor.
During Tuesday’s proceedings, Delhi government’s counsel confirmed the resolution of the dispute.
The next hearing was fixed for December 3.
The PIL, filed through advocates Neeraj, Satya Ranjan and KK Mishra, detailed that TTDC had floated tenders for road bridges near Nathu Colony Chowk, with the project completed in 2016.
The petition highlighted the ongoing construction defects being ignored by the PWD and the Corporation, while noting the public inconvenience caused by heavy vehicle restrictions for two years.
“The defects in the flyover were visible since the year 2015 and both the respondents No. 3 and 4 (Corporation and Builder) were made aware of the said defects. There has been inordinate delay in removing these defects and no action has been taken till date. It hasn’t happened.” Taken to ensure the safety of the public at large,” the petition said.