KG Layout: Development works down the drain

Y. Maheswara Reddy | NT

Nadaprabhu Kempegowda Layout has often been hitting headlines for all the wrong reasons. But this time it is not due to any project delay, but for alleged poor quality of ongoing developmental works.

The allottees were aghast to come across a contractor using sub-standard cement for the construction of roadside drains at the layout.

“We the allottees of Nadaprabhu Kempegowda layout noticed that Bangalore Development Authority has executed sub-standard quality work in building the road side drains of the layout. The BDA authorities have collected more than Rs 2000 crore from the allottees for the formation of Nadaprabhu Kempegowda Layout. It is very much disappointing to note the poor quality of work being executed even after paying thousands of crores upfront by the allottees,” said Sham Jujare S of NPKL Progressive Front.

The site allottees have accused the BDA authorities for not following the norms. “I was allotted a site at the layout in 2018 and got it registered in 2019. The developmental works at the layout were supposed to be complete by 2020, but it is incomplete even today. I am not able to locate my site at the layout. It has been almost three years, but I am unable to start construction of my home,” said Sneha Venkataraman, who is allotted a site at block 6 of Sector 1.

The allottees allege that the BDA engineer is not bothered about inspecting the quality of construction. “I doubt the durability of the drains that are being constructed. Since the contractor did not bother to ensure curing of the concrete, it has already developed cracks. We bought sites at the layout by paying market price. I demand the BDA engineer to ensure quality in the ongoing developmental works,” said B S Malini, a site allottee.

The allottees alleged that the BDA contractor has not provided adequate reinforcement steel for the drain structure. They said the spacing between horizontal distribution bars is more than 15+ inches and the spacing between the vertical main rods is also 15 inches. “The spacing between the steel bars should be a minimum of six inches and the maximum is nine inches. Leaving 15 inches of space between the two steel bars of a drain is against the norms. The drain may not last long,” opines Ajit Kumar S.M., Secretary of Association of Consulting Civil Engineers.

The site allottees said that the honeycombing effect is visible on the drain walls due to the substandard work. Honeycombing in concrete is a defect due to which cavities and hollow pockets are formed and coarse aggregates become prominently visible in the concrete structure. It is caused due to the incomplete filling of the concrete against the formwork.

“These drain walls were built a couple of years back only and it is highly unfortunate to witness these drains getting eroded before it is getting used. As of Nov 2021, the BDA has spent Rs 1,854 crore towards civil works in the layout,” said Sham Jujare S.

The NPKL Progressive Front has already given a written complaint to BDA and has urged the authority to share the technical drawings of the drain structure. It has also demanded the BDA to blacklist the contractor who executed this sub-standard work and take the ownership to rectify the issues of site drains.

Meanwhile, BDA executive engineer Sushma N has said that drain construction works have been stopped as the higher authorities are yet to give the nod. “I will look into the matter,” she said.