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MARGHERITA, June 26: Allegations of large-scale irregularities have surfaced in the ongoing drain construction projects under the Margherita Municipal Board, with the Asom Jatiyotabadi Yuba Chatra Parishad (AJYCP) accusing the contractor of using substandard materials in works carried out under a centrally funded scheme.
Speaking to the media, Kanchan Borah, vice president of AJYCP’s Tinsukia district committee, said that the construction of drains spanning 27 kilometres across ten municipal wards of Margherita, initiated in 2016–17 under the Central Government’s Non-Lapsable Central Pool of Resources (NLCPR) scheme, is being executed with subpar materials.
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The project, reportedly worth around ₹20 crore, was awarded to contractor B N Shah through a tender process.
Borah alleged that the use of poor-quality materials would likely result in premature damage or collapse of the drainage infrastructure.
He questioned the accountability of the government, stating, “The government collects taxes from the struggling masses with the promise of development, but if just a few contractors compromise on quality and the infrastructure collapses in days, who is held accountable?”
He also criticised the lack of intervention from the local MLA, the Margherita Co-District Administration, and the Margherita Municipal Board despite repeated concerns.
The AJYCP Tinsukia district committee has demanded immediate action from the local legislator and administration, calling for a thorough investigation and legal steps against the contractor.
Borah warned that the organisation would be forced to launch a protest movement if their concerns continued to be ignored.
When contacted, Margherita Municipal Board Chairman Anand Kumar Sharma stated that if any malpractice is found during the drain construction, immediate action will be taken against the contractor.
