Night-time concreting, poor quality works trigger backlash in Kodagu

Madikeri – The long-pending concrete road project between Alekatte and Inakanahalli in Somwarpet taluk of Kodagu district has come under severe criticism after villagers alleged poor workmanship, prompting them to stop the work and force the Public Works Department (PWD) to initiate re-laying of the stretch.

As per the tender conditions, the existing cement road was to be completely dismantled before fresh concrete was laid. However, residents alleged that the two-kilometre stretch, being executed at a cost of about Rs. 1 crore per kilometre, fell far below specifications, leading to public protests and removal of freshly laid concrete.

Hasty work at night

Villagers complained that concreting was being carried out hastily at night between 7 pm and midnight, using vehicle headlights for illumination.

They further alleged that mandatory guidelines requiring mechanised paver machines were ignored, with manual laying adopted instead. Residents said portions laid just a day earlier had already begun to crumble, with visible gaps and inadequate cement content.

Residents, including Baggannur Anil, also alleged that in several stretches, concrete was being laid directly over soil without proper preparation. A large group of villagers gathered at the site and demanded the presence of officials, questioning the lack of supervision.

Road to be re-laid

Assistant Executive Engineer Kumar of the PWD was confronted by angry villagers, who sought explanations for the nighttime execution and absence of monitoring. They also pointed out that nearly seven truckloads of concrete laid earlier had already broken up, with some sections reportedly having barely three inches of concrete over bare soil.

Following the confrontation, the engineer assured the villagers that defective portions would be removed and that quality standards would be strictly enforced. The contractor was directed to dismantle the unscientifically laid concrete, which was removed overnight using a machine and fresh work was ordered.

With the project already running behind schedule, residents have warned that substandard execution could lead to long-term damage. “If taxpayers’ money is wasted on poor-quality roads, engineers must be held accountable,” said Anil.