AAP Protests Against Alleged Cost Escalation in Dwarka Expressway Construction

Protest Against Cost Escalation

The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) staged a protest at the under-construction Dwarka Expressway in response to the reported findings of the Comptroller and Auditor General of India (CAG). The CAG's audit report highlighted significant cost escalation in the construction of the expressway, which led to concerns about the project's financial transparency and efficiency.

During the protest, AAP leaders and workers, including chief national spokesperson Priyanka Kakkar and Reena Gupta, gathered near the Dwarka Expressway Highway. They voiced their suspicions, labeling the project as a "scam" and expressing alarm over the reported increase in construction costs.

According to media reports, the CAG audit report scrutinized Phase-I of the 'Bharatmala Pariyojana' highway projects. It specifically noted the National Highways Authority of India's (NHAI) decision to opt for an elevated carriageway for the Haryana portion of the Dwarka Expressway, which resulted in a substantial rise in construction costs. The cost per kilometer reportedly escalated from the approved ₹18.2 crore to an alarming ₹251 crore.

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AAP Allegations and Government's Response

AAP supremo Arvind Kejriwal, who is also the Chief Minister of Delhi, accused the Narendra Modi-led government of setting new records in corruption due to the reported cost escalation in the Dwarka Expressway project. The party highlighted this issue as a prime example of alleged financial mismanagement within the government's infrastructure projects.However, the Ministry of Road, Transport, and Highways countered these allegations, deeming them a "gross misrepresentation of facts." The ministry rejected the notion of corruption and wrongdoing and sought to clarify the circumstances surrounding the cost escalation.

The crux of the issue lies in the differing interpretations of the construction costs. The CAG report's assertion that the project's cost per kilometer increased from the approved ₹18.2 crore to ₹251 crore raises concerns about transparency and financial prudence. This reported disparity has triggered the AAP's accusation of a potential scam and mismanagement of public funds.

Conversely, the government's response hinges on the argument that the cost escalation is due to justified reasons, specifically the decision to construct an elevated carriageway. This perspective aims to dispel allegations of corruption and assert that the project's unique circumstances warranted the increased costs.

The AAP's protest against the alleged cost escalation in the Dwarka Expressway's construction reflects the party's concerns over financial transparency and responsible governance. Their accusation of a "scam" underscores the significance of maintaining public trust and ensuring that infrastructure projects adhere to established financial standards.

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