LUCKNOW, Aug. 13 -- Proposals for widening and strengthening of roads were sanctioned in Uttar Pradesh without ensuring availability of free land that resulted in delay in completion of work, stated the report of the Comptroller and Auditor General of India tabled in the UP Legislative Assembly on Tuesday.

Sharing an example, the report cited Varanasi-Shaktinagar Marg amounting to Rs.121.59 crore that got sanctioned in May 2018 without ensuring availability of encumbrance free land. This resulted in a delay in completion of work by more than two years.

Widening and strengthening of Manikpur to Dharkundi Ashram via Kalyanpur road in Chitrakoot was sanctioned in May 2018 for Rs.40.37 crore. Departmental officers did not ensure the availab...