UP: State government recommends CBI probe ordered into Rs 455 crore highway scam

The Uttar Pradesh government on Monday recommended a CBI probe into a Rs 455 crore scam in UP State Highway Authority during Bahujan Samaj Party supreme Mayawati’s regime.

Initial inquiries made by the Yogi government suggested that Rs 455 crore were withdrawn from the bank for the construction of 206 kilometres of road on NH 57 connecting Delhi-Saharanpur to Yamunotri. The contract for the construction of four-lane road was awarded to M/S SEW-SSY Highways Private Ltd in 2011 during the Mayawati rule.

The total cost of the project was about Rs 1,700 crore. It was to be completed in three years.

“Nothing was done on the ground on planned route of 206. The company allegedly constructed the four-lane Road on papers only. The company withdrew Rs 455.58 crore from 14 banks. During the review of the work, it was found that only 13% work was done,” said the PWD Minister and Deputy Chief Minister Keshav Prasad Maurya.

The company had spent only Rs 150 crore but withdrew Rs 455.48 crore faking construction work on papers. On the directions of the minister an FIR has been lodged at the Gomtinagar Police Station against four officials of the company and 18 others, including bank officers.

The FIR …read more