BHOPAL: The Madhya Pradesh Lokayukta has started a probe into yet another complaint alleging corruption in construction works related to Mahakal Lok Corridor in Ujjain.
This time, the complaint is from a resident of Tarana in Ujjain district. Sources say the Lokayukta has taken cognisance of it and sought a response from the executive director of Ujjain Smart City Project. This is the second such complaint related to Mahakal Lok Corridor since the first phase was inaugurated on October 11. The project is estimated at Rs 850 crore and the first phase cost Rs 316 crore.
After the first complaint on alleged financial irregularities in construction work, Lokayukta had issued notices to 15 people, including the Ujjain collector and two other IAS officers, asking them to respond by October 28. Fourteen officers have appeared for personal hearing before the Lokayukta while the Ujjain collector was on leave. They have sought 15 more days to submit their replies. Only one officer submitted his reply on Wednesday.
According to the complaint, the parking lot doesn’t meet quality standards and the contractors raised undue bills which were cleared by some officials without proper verification. The notice issued by the Lokayukta to these officers says that the allegations made by the complainant were found to be correct during initial investigation.
The Mahakal Lok Corridor, being developed by Ujjain Smart City, is aimed at decongesting the entire area and puts special emphasis on conservation and restoration of heritage structures. The existing footfall of the temple, which is currently around 1.5 crore per year, is expected to double.
The over 900-metre-long Mahakal Path (corridor), one of the largest in the country, goes around the ancient Rudrasagar Lake that is mentioned in the Skanda Purana. The lake has also been revived as part of the redevelopment project around the famous Mahakaleshwar Temple.
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