Power Corporation Engineer and Contractor Face Legal Heat Over Dehradun Road Work Mishaps
In a significant development highlighting civic negligence, authorities in Dehradun have registered a formal case against an executive engineer of the Power Transmission Corporation of Uttarakhand Ltd (PTCUL) and a contractor. The allegations center around severe negligence in executing road work within the city, leading to public inconvenience and traffic chaos.
Administrative Crackdown Following Public Complaints
The legal action follows a decisive move by the district administration, which suspended the agency's work license just a day prior. This suspension came after officials detected multiple irregularities during the laying of underground electrical cables near the prominent LIC building. The site inspection, conducted on Monday, was prompted by numerous complaints from residents about the ongoing work causing significant traffic disruption and safety hazards.
An executive engineer from the Public Works Department (PWD) escalated the matter by filing a detailed complaint at the Nehru Colony police station. According to the complaint, the district coordination committee had granted conditional permission to PTCUL for road-cutting activities starting January 1. The permit explicitly required that all excavation work be properly leveled and executed without adversely affecting traffic flow.
Alleged Violations and Safety Lapses
However, the work was allegedly carried out in a haphazard and irresponsible manner. The PWD engineer stated, "Large potholes have developed on the road, forcing traffic to shift to one side and resulting in severe congestion." This not only disrupted daily commutes but also posed risks to motorists and pedestrians alike.
Further compounding the issue, the complaint highlighted that the road was supposed to be dug along the edge, but excavation was improperly conducted close to the center line. This deviation led to significant soil erosion due to the absence of proper compaction techniques. Officials also pointed out a critical planning flaw: an overbridge is proposed for the area, with piers planned in the middle of the road, making the laying of utilities in that location impermissible under safety standards.
During the inspection, it was discovered that the road was dug to a width exceeding 2.5 metres, far beyond the claimed 1.3 metres. Provisions related to road safety standards have also been damaged, the complaint noted, emphasizing the lack of adequate warning signage at the site, which further endangered public safety.
Legal Framework and Precedents
Based on these findings, police have registered a case under stringent provisions. This includes sections of the Uttarakhand Prevention of Defacement of Public Property Act, 2003, along with BNS sections 125, which addresses endangering human life or personal safety of others, and 324(3), concerning mischief causing loss or damage to property, including government or local authority assets.
Following the inspection, the administration has directed PTCUL to immediately refill the road and rectify the damages. A stern warning was issued that non-compliance would invite further punitive action. This incident is not isolated; in 2024, contractors of Uttarakhand Power Corporation Ltd were similarly booked for comparable violations. Other agencies, including GAIL, have also faced recent bans from carrying out road work due to failures in adhering to regulatory standards.
This case underscores ongoing challenges in infrastructure management and the imperative for strict adherence to safety protocols to prevent public inconvenience and uphold civic responsibility in urban development projects.
