CAG Report No. 11 of 2025 — Implementation of Smart City Mission, Government of Karnataka

Chapter-IV
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DWC37 pipes for carrying the electricity cables in the underground ducts
incurring an expenditure of ₹15.70 crore38. Audit observed that the decision of
laying of DWC pipes was taken without analysing its technical feasibility as
detailed below:
• Mangalore Electricity Supply Company (MESCOM) had suggested
(January 2020) not to lay HT/LT cables through DWC pipes due to
demerits such as poor heat dissipation, insufficient mechanical strength,
chances of water accumulation in HT/LT chambers etc.
• DSCL utilised single wall HDPE39 pipes as conduit material with benefits
such as durability, easy handling and workability, high tensile strength
etc., and thus offered enhanced protection to the electricity cables and was
handy for carrying out repair works.
• Even the Technical Committee, KUIDFC had recommended (May 2020)
laying HDPE pipes in place of DWC pipes while approving variations for
Smart Road packages.
Thus, laying DWC pipes by TSCL, SSCL and HSCL without considering the
inputs from the user departments and without conducting adequate technical
investigations resulted in inadequate quality control for the expenditure
incurred. The technical Committee, KUIDFC also failed to adopt a uniform and
feasible stand while deciding the conduit material for electricity duct during the
DPR approval stage as HDPE pipes were used in other Smart Cities.
The reply furnished by the Government is silent on the above audit observation.
4.10.5 Non-utilisation of road constructed under the Mission
MSCL undertook (March 2021) the construction of the connecting road from
NH-66 near Jeppu to Morgan’s gate including construction of Road Under
Bridge (RUB) to reduce the traffic congestion at Pump well circle which was
the entry point to Mangaluru city from NH 66. The work included three parts
as detailed below.
• Four lanes 18 metre wide connecting road of length 485 metre from NH
66 to proposed RUB.
• Four lanes RUB to Mangaluru junction and Central Railway Station40.
• Four Lanes 18-metre-wide connecting road of length 650 metre from
proposed RUB to Emphasis junction.
The total project cost of the work was ₹ 49.95 crore including construction of
Railway Under Bridge (RUB). Out of total project cost of ₹ 49.95 crore, an
amount of ₹30.07 crore was transferred (August 2019 to March 2021) to Indian
Railways for construction of RUB. The construction of the connecting roads at
the cost of ₹17.06 crore, commenced during March 2021 and was originally
scheduled for completion by March 2022. As of May 2024, the project is still
37 Double wall Corrugated.
38 HDSCL ₹8.81 crore, TSCL ₹3.27 crore and SSCL ₹3.62 crore.
39 High density Polyethylene.
40 The work was initially taken up by MCC and an amount of ₹13.99 lakh was deposited (June
2014) with Indian Railways.