The Public Works Department has suspended its Chief Engineer (National Highway) VK Bhardwaj, the then Executive Engineer (NH-21), BS Barwal, and a Junior Engineer, and has issued a charge sheet to RC Gupta, who retired as Superintending Engineer (NH-21) recently, in connection with the multi-crore tarring scam related to the 21-km-long Nauni-Gambhar stretch of the Chandigarh-Manali National Highway No. 21.
Besides, the PWD has asked the contractor, MG Construction, to redo the work or face action as it is yet to complete the tarring work on the stretch. The PWD had assigned the Rs 7.75-crore tarring work to the contractor last year. The firm has tarred a 16-km stretch so far.
The PWD’s quality wing conducted an inquiry into the case after the tarring got damaged within few months and potholes appeared all over the road. The NH authorities did not take remedial measures and instead tried to hush up the matter, sources said.
