Owing to structural shortcomings and insufficient infrastructure facilities, Vizhinjam port is unable to use a wharf, which was newly constructed at a cost of Rs 8.87 crore.
A report by the Comptroller and Auditor General of India (CAG) shows facilities like compound wall, transit shed and storage facility were not available for the newly constructed wharf. Four years ago, the port department reported some major structural defects in the wharf and could not use it, the report shows.
The government set up a technical committee — headed by an IIT Chennai professor — to conduct a safety audit of the wharf, the report said.
In order to strengthen the wharf, the committee suggested rectification measures at a cost of Rs 87 lakh.
The government while accepting the recommendations directed the chief engineer of the harbour engineering department to carry out the rectification works.
The contractor rectified some defects like crack on the columns, but refused to rectify the remaining recommended items — stating that the recommendations included additional strengthening which was outside the purview of the contract agreement.
Thus, the report shows a new wharf constructed at a cost of Rs 8.87 crore could not be used owing to non-rectification of defects and lack of infrastructure facilities.
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