Tender procedures of Palarivattom flyover manipulated: Vigilance

Kochi: Massive irregularities took place in the tender procedures of the Palarivattom flyover also, the Vigilance Department told the Kerala High Court on Tuesday. According to the Vigilance, the tender was awarded to RDS Projects Ltd. which quoted an amount of Rs 47 crore, ignoring a lower bid of Rs 42 crore submitted by Cherian Varkey Constructions.

Moreover, a note was added in writing to the tender document saying that RDS would offer a rebate of 13.4 per cent. The correction is evident from the handwriting, the Vigilance told the court.

Roads and Bridges Corporation and KITCO are responsible for this irregularity, according to the Vigilance. Evidence to support this argument was presented before the court. Officials also told the court that more investigation was needed into the matter.

The Vigilance had earlier said before the court that there was additional proof to prove the role of former Public Works Secretary T O Sooraj in the flyover scam. Sooraj had purchased property worth Rs 3.3 crore during the flyover construction and Rs 2 crore of this amount was from unaccounted sources, pointed out Vigilance.

The court was also informed that investigators were examining the alleged role of former PWD minister V K Ebrahim Kunju in the scam.

The Palarivattom flyover in Kochi was completed and commissioned in October 2016. After cracks were detected on its pillars, the bridge was closed for traffic on May 1, 2019.

Last month the Kerala government decided to demolish the flyover after considering the IIT report headed by E Sreedharan.