Congress seeks CBI probe into corruption in road construction

Bhopal, July 28(UNI) Alleging corruption and use of sub-standard crumb rubber modified bitumen in road construction in Madhya Pradesh, the Congress today demanded an inquiry by the Central Bureau of Investigation and resignation of Public Works Minister Kailash Vijayvargiya.

MPCC President Subhash Yadav told a news conference here that corruption to the tune of at least Rs 1,000 crore took place in road construction. Holding Mr Vijayvargiya responsible for it, Mr Yadav said the minister should be dismissed if he did not tender his resignation.

Of the 15,000 Km roads constructed in two and a half years, 11,000 Km roads had damaged in the first rainy season itself, he said, adding Bhopal-Indore and Bhopal-Jabalpur roads were among such roads which could not withstand even a season's rainfall.

Mr Yadav alleged that though bitumen was being supplied by a private company, the billing was made in the name of public sector refineries. Bitumen supplied by the company had been banned in Uttar Pradesh and Punjab, he added.

UNI PKJ-SP 1428