Buidco imposes Rs10 lakh penalty on contractor for safety violations

Patna: The Bihar Urban Infrastructure Development Corporation (Buidco) imposed a penalty of Rs10 lakh on a contractor for failing to follow safety protocols during drain construction near Beur jail in Patna.The action was taken after a motorcycle rider fell into an open dug-up pit on Monday evening. The accident highlighted serious negligence as the site lacked proper barricading and supervision.A Buidco inquiry revealed that the contractor working under Catchment-V had not implemented adequate safety measures. While some barricading was present at the site, no personnel were deployed to monitor or guide the public. This was in clear violation of the contract’s Clause-IV, which mandates a comprehensive ‘work safety plan’. Despite written instructions, the contractor failed to comply with the clause.Taking serious note of the incident, the managing director Animesh Kumar Parashar issued instructions to all contractors and officials. Strict adherence to safety standards has been made mandatory across all Buidco projects in Patna, including drain construction, road works, bridges and drainage systems, Parashar added.“Barricading alone is not enough. The agency must also deploy personnel at the site so that citizens remain safe and maintain a safe distance,” the MD emphasised. He warned that any repeat of such incidents would not be tolerated. Project officers have also been directed to conduct regular checks.Buidco has issued a show-cause notice to the agency, asking it to reply within two days. Along with the fine, further action, including forfeiture of the bank guarantee, debarment from future tenders and criminal proceedings under the Disaster Management Act, may be initiated.