Concern over 'substandard' work by Railway

From a Correspondent

Haflong, March 13: Villagers have expressed serious concern over the use of substandard materials in constructing a retaining wall to protect landslides and land erosion near Rekho village. Following heavy landslides and land erosion by the side of BG line near Rekho village, the railway authority has engaged contractors for construction of retaining wall and drains so that there will not be such landslides in future. But the contractors allegedly used substandard materials. It is alleged that the contractors use stone crusher dust instead of standard sand and also violate the construction specification.

People alleged that the practice of using substandard material by the contractors was continuing as there was no proper supervision from the railway authority. They feel that there might be nexus between the contractors and the executing officials from Railway for their persol gain as if the works were substandard then the walls and drain would be damaged within a short time and the same contractors could be awarded construction works again.

 They further alleged that during the last year, only few weeks ahead of monsoon, the Railway had allotted such works and these were executed hurriedly and subsequently damaged within one week of the construction. People have requested the Railway authority to take immediate steps against the contractors who are engaged in construction works with substandard materials.