The Punjab government has taken strict action against two senior officials of the Kharar municipal council after a probe found shocking lapses in a road recarpeting project that deteriorated just days after completion. The state has ordered the preparation of a chargesheet against Executive Officer Sukhdev Singh and Assistant Municipal Engineer Suresh Kumar.
Probe Exposes Glaring Lapses in Road Work
The action follows a detailed inquiry triggered by a complaint filed on the Chief Minister's Public Grievance Redressal System (PGRS). The complaint highlighted the substandard condition of the road leading to Gurdwara Sahib Akali Office and the proposed sports complex in Kharar. Mohali Deputy Commissioner Komal Mittal was initially instructed to prepare the chargesheet and submit it to the local government department within five days.
Acting on the complaint, DC Mittal formed a three-member inspection committee. The team, comprising Varinder Kumar Jain from the Local Government Department, and Khushwinder Singh and Gautam Parihar from the PWD (B&R), conducted a site inspection on November 19.
Technical Violations and Premature Failure
The committee's investigation uncovered serious technical violations and poor execution. The road in question measures 2,600 feet in length and 12–18 feet in width. It was awarded to contractor Balwinder Singh with a three-month completion timeline.
While officials claimed adherence to approved estimates for Bituminous Macadam (BM) and Semi-Dense Bituminous Concrete (SDBC), the inspection revealed major deviations. A critical flaw was that seal coat work was executed immediately after laying the Sub-Dense Bituminous layer without proper curing or rolling, severely compromising the road's structural integrity.
Visual checks further revealed:
- Multiple obstructions like electric poles, trees, and water pipelines crowding the carriageway, indicating poor planning.
- Misaligned interlocking paver joints and inadequately rolled edges.
- Weakened road shoulders.
Most alarmingly, a 400-foot stretch between Chhabra Stationery Shop and Ward No. 2 had already uprooted, exposing a premature and complete failure of the construction.
Officials Face Charges of Negligence and Misuse of Funds
The inspection committee fixed direct responsibility on EO Sukhdev Singh and AME Suresh Kumar for failing to enforce technical norms and supervise the project's execution. The district administration found grave irregularities in both execution and supervision, leading to the matter being formally reported to the office of the principal secretary.
The officials now face charges of supervisory negligence, misuse of municipal funds, and causing financial loss to the state exchequer.
"The charges pertain to serious supervisory lapses and alleged misuse of public funds after a newly constructed road peeled off within days," confirmed Deputy Commissioner Komal Mittal. She added that the chargesheet will be submitted to the Local Government Department within the stipulated five days.
The preliminary report highlighted gross negligence and noted that the officials' role appeared "suspicious" given the rapid deterioration. These lapses have not only wasted taxpayer money but have also significantly dented public trust in administrative credibility.
Directive for Urgent Rectification
Meanwhile, to prevent further public inconvenience and avoid additional financial loss, the Deputy Commissioner has directed the Kharar Municipal Council to urgently re-carpet and rectify the damaged road. This repair work must be carried out strictly as per prescribed technical specifications to ensure durability and quality.
