The Central Bureau of Investigation has registered two cases against two retired Southern Railway engineers and private contractors over alleged irregularities in the construction of minor bridges and reinforced cement concrete retaining walls on the Madurai-Tuticorin broad-gauge rail project. The alleged violations, linked to work in Tuticorin district, are estimated to have caused a loss of about Rs 4.01 crore to the Railways.
The cases were registered by the CBI’s Anti-Corruption Branch in Madurai and concern work executed between Milavittan and Melamarudur railway stations during 2016-17. The accused named in the cases are retired deputy chief engineer Muhammed Salaiya, retired executive engineer William Jai, contractor Y Chinna Reddy and M Sulochana, a private individual from Madurai.
According to the allegations cited in the FIR, Salaiya entered into a criminal conspiracy with contractor Y Chinna Reddy while serving in the construction division in Madurai. The CBI alleged that two minor bridges were constructed instead of one without prior approval from the competent authority. The two bridges were completed in July 2017 at a cost of Rs 3.59 crore, while a proposal seeking approval for the change was initiated only in May 2019, nearly two years after completion.
The CBI has estimated that the deviation from the approved plan caused a loss of about Rs 2.57 crore to the Railways. The case raises questions about how design changes and additional civil works were approved, recorded and monitored during the construction of a major rail link, although the allegations will have to be established through the investigation and subsequent legal proceedings.
The second case relates to the construction of RCC retaining walls along the railway line. The CBI has alleged that Salaiya and Jai conspired with contractor M Sulochana to execute the work without following prescribed railway procedures, resulting in a loss of about Rs 1.44 crore.
The FIR further alleges that the retaining walls were constructed before the bridge work. As a result, the walls allegedly had inadequate width and were later buried by the earth formation, rendering them unusable. The allegation points to a possible coordination failure between structural works and earthwork, though the investigation will determine the precise responsibility of each accused person.
The Railway Board had sought permission to investigate five Southern Railway officials in connection with the alleged irregularities. The then railway minister permitted investigation against two retired officials, Salaiya and Jai, but denied permission to proceed against former chief engineer Thavamani Pandi, former deputy chief engineer R Nandagopal and former executive engineer M Ganesh.
The Madurai-Tuticorin rail project is intended to connect the interior districts around Madurai with the port city and industrial areas of Tuticorin through a broad-gauge link. The CBI cases concern a specific section of construction rather than the overall performance of the railway project. Further action will depend on the investigation into the alleged unauthorised works, the reported financial loss and the roles of the individuals named in the FIR.
