Infra projects granted to 'close friends' of BJP: Congress targets govt over CAG report
Congress on Sunday targeted the Modi government over a recent CAG report on Bharatmala project, alleging that infrastructure projects have been granted to "close friends" and donors of the BJP and asserted that only a JPC probe can unravel the truth. In a statement, Congress general secretary (communications) Jairam Ramesh said the Bharatmala Pariyojana is aimed at developing 35,000 km of national highways to make freight movement across the country more efficient.
«Yet, the most remarkable feature of the project has been the efficiency with which costs have been inflated and projects handed over to the Prime Minister's close friends and his party's electoral bond donors, as shown in a recent CAG report covering the period 2017-21,» he alleged.
The Congress leader said the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) awarded a 250 km four-lane project between Suryapet and Khammam in Telangana to a consortium in which Adani Transport was the dominant partner with a 74 per cent work share.
According to the CAG, he said Adani Transport «did not fulfil the condition of 'Request for Proposal' regarding experience of five years» building highways.
«Despite being completely unqualified to bid, Adani Transport once again benefited from Modi's Magic.
