CAG report found irregularities in Goa water supply project monitored by Louis Berger

In a new development, it has been revealed that the Comptroller and Accountant General of India (CAG) had red-flagged the Goa Water Supply and Sewerage Project for which New Jersey-based construction management firm Louis Berger was appointed as a consultant to monitor its implementation, reported  Indian Express . [caption id=“attachment_2354716” align=“alignleft” width=“380”] Representational Image. Reuters[/caption] Louis Berger has come under a cloud of controversy after being charged with bribing Indian officials to win water developmental projects in Goa and in Guwahati. The bribery of $976,630 for a Goa project by Louis Berger included payments to a minister, details of which have not been disclosed by the US Department of Justice. The  CAG 2012-13 report on water resources projects in Goa stated, “The implementation of work under JICA project was tardy resulting in cost overruns.” The report also claimed that apart from the project lacking co-ordination and being improperly planned, accepting tenders was also delayed by one to 16 months leading to the escalation of the cost of project cost to Rs 69 crore. The five-year Goa Water Supply and Sewerage Project to expand, rehabilitate and build water and sewerage facilities. The project which was promoted by the Goa government sought to focus on 24x7 water supply and also improve the water supply in the state from 143 litre per capita per day (LPCD)  to 150 LPCD in urban areas and 82  (LPCD) to 100 LPCD in rural areas. Louis Berger was part of a consortium for the project in Goa. The consortium included two Japanese firms and an Indian partner. The team developed a project management information system and plan, evaluated bids, reviewed design and construction plans, and ensured quality work was done on time and within budget, the company says on its website. With inputs from PTI