Kochi: The Vigilance and Anti-Corruption Bureau (VACB) is likely to register an FIR on the suspected corruption in the construction of Palarivattom flyover following the inquiry report which was submitted to director Anil Kant.
The preliminary inquiry report submitted by the VACB Ernakulam district unit reportedly pointed out numerous flaws in the construction of the flyover.
According to sources, the VACB director will ask the Ernakulam unit to register a case. “The director will decide on registering an FIR and conducting an investigation,” an official said. He will take further action in this regard and his response is expected to reach the Ernakulam office on Thursday, sources said.
The VACB officials had earlier collected samples from the flyover for examination at the Highway Engineering Laboratory. They also recorded the statements of the contractor, officials with PWD, RBDCK and KITCO as part of the inquiry.
The flyover was closed on May 1 after cracks were found at different parts of the bridge and a flaw in its construction was detected. Initially, it was planned to close the bridge for 30 days. Later, an IIT team visited the bridge and decided to close it for three months. The initial examination found cracks on girders and pier caps that were caused reportedly due to inadequate usage of cement and steel.
The RBDCK constructed the flyover in 2016 at a cost of Rs 47.7 crore.
The traffic has been diverted after the bridge was closed resulting in severe traffic jam.
