Latest news with #RajeshMunat
Time of India
17-05-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
‘Commission walk a way to siphon money; build flyover'
Raipur: The Chhattisgarh Congress has criticised the state govt's decision to reconstruct the 'controversial' skywalk in the state capital, a day after the govt announced it would resume work on the unfinished project. The Opposition has stated that instead of spending money on the incomplete skywalk, the govt should construct a flyover in line with public demand. State Congress President Deepak Baij launched an attack on the BJP and former minister Rajesh Munat over the skywalk. He said, "This is not a skywalk, it's a commission walk. The number of pedestrians in the city is steadily decreasing. What's needed is a flyover, not a skywalk. This was merely a means to siphon off money." City's traffic is increasing and it needs a flyover, not a skywalk, Baij told TOI. "A flyover would help address current and future traffic problems effectively. The city's residents, including intellectuals, traders, doctors, and people from all walks of life were opposed to the skywalk project from the beginning. Now that the govt has decided to rebuild the incomplete skywalk, the public is once again reacting negatively. The govt should reconsider its decision and plan to construct a flyover in line with the city's future needs," said Congress spokesperson Dhananjay Singh Thakur on the matter. The spokesperson said the initial tender for the skywalk was issued for approximately Rs 37 crore. Just one and a half months after construction began, the tender amount was increased, eventually reaching around Rs 67 crore. Meanwhile, Raipur West MLA Rajesh Munat criticised the Congress party, accusing them of obstructing development work during their regime. He held the previous Bhupesh Baghel-led Congress govt responsible for any increase in the skywalk project's cost. During their tenure, the previous Congress govt had cited allegations of procedural irregularities and concerns over its utility, structural integrity. Subsequent investigations by the Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) and the Economic Offences Wing (EOW) were initiated to examine these issues. A more recent inspection by PWD officials revealed that ACP sheets, aluminium frames, and divider railings have been stolen from several places on the bridge. The steel and nut bolts installed in the bridge are intact. The work on welding, painting, flooring, hood, and flooring fixing is incomplete. Several parts have also rusted due to rain and heat.
Time of India
17-05-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
‘Oppn blocking devpt; why didn't their govt take action?'
Raipur: The BJP, on the other hand, responded by saying that the opposition is obstructing development works during their regime and the old Congress govt was responsible for the increase in the skywalk's additional costs and delays, refuting the claim that the project incurred increased costs and additional funds by the BJP govt. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now Addressing a press conference at BJP office on Saturday, Raipur West MLA and former PWD minister, Rajesh Munat said that the skywalk, aimed at easing pedestrian movement from Shastri Chowk to Jaistambh Chowk and Shastri Chowk to Jail Tiraha, was initiated during Raman Singh's chief ministership. A provision of funds was made in 2016-17 budget as a survey showed the need to prevent traffic disruptions and accidents, he said. Munat informed that tenders were invited for a survey, and two agencies participated. Following this, three presentations were held in Raipur. Attendees included then Raipur mayor Dr Kiranmayi Nayak, Congress leaders Satyanarayan Sharma and Pramod Dubey, the municipal commissioner, the collector, and officials from traffic department and PWD, and all of them provided suggestions, he said. The tender was then finalised, and work commenced in 2017. He added that no Congress leader raised objections in the assembly. The BJP MLA clarified that the skywalk project started before the Smart City scheme. The then BJP govt prioritised the project to ease traffic congestion. He said that after the Congress came to power in 2018, the then CM Baghel expressed opposition to the skywalk. However, no official order was issued. He said that the Congress govt conducted three inquiries, which concluded that the skywalk should be completed, given its necessity and the funds already spent. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now Munat criticised opposition for ignoring the inquiry reports. He asked why Congress did not take action if there was any corruption, as the files and officials were under its control. Munat said that the current BJP govt decided to complete the project, allocating Rs 37 crore from the previously approved budget. He refuted claims by Congress leaders regarding increased costs, stating that no additional funds were provided.
