PAC Comes Down Heavily on NH 66 Collapses

PUBLIC Accounts Committee (PAC) of Parliament has directed the Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) to conduct a performance audit regarding the construction of national highways in Kerala in the wake of reports of damage from various parts of the state, PAC chairman K.C. Venugopal said.

- EXPRESS NEWS SERVICE @ Malappuram

The CAG has been asked to examine matters including contracts and design after irregularities were reported from seven districts. Venugopal said the CAG audit is recommended because there are allegations of widespread corruption in awarding sub-contracts.

"The purview of the audit will include all issues related to construction of national highways in Kerala," he said.

Venugopal said the transport secretary and the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) have admitted to design flaws. "The officials said they were shocked by developments," he said.