India, June 3 -- A Municipal Corporation of Gurugram (MCG) investigation unearthed a string of administrative lapses involving a former chief engineer, who allegedly violated protocol to benefit private contractors, an internal audit report has revealed. The audit report, a copy of which has been accessed by HT, shows that the officer unilaterally waived penalties amounting to Rs.94 lakh and extended project deadlines without necessary approvals - actions which fall solely under the purview of the municipal commissioner. The investigation focused on two key road infrastructure projects-one in Sushant Lok 3 (Sector 57) and another covering multiple blocks in Sushant Lok 2. In both cases, the former chief engineer extended contract timelines and nullified penalties for delays. The official concerned was posted in MCG for one year and has been sent back to the Dakshin Haryana Bijli Vitran Nigam Limited (DHBVN). In the first case, a road construction contract worth Rs.5.85 crore was awarded in June 2023 for work in Sushant Lok 3, Sector 57, with a completion deadline of December 2023. Following delays caused by the monsoon and the implementation of Grap restrictions, the agency requested an extension which was granted until April 30, 2024. Despite the delays in the project, the former chief engineer further extended the deadline to November 14, 2024-without approval from the municipal commissioner, as mandated by MCG's internal governance protocols, according to the report. The irregularities deepened when a penalty of Rs.58.55 lakh, imposed in November 2023 for delay, was refunded to the contractor in October 2024. The engineer, according to the MCG report, cited reasons such as "financial distress," "family emergencies," and "NGT-imposed work restrictions" to justify the waiver. However, the internal audit found these reasons unsubstantiated and termed the refund as "an undue financial benefit" extended to the contractor. The second case involves a contract valued at Rs.3.54 crore-awarded at a 14% lower rate than the estimated Rs.4.12 crore-for roadworks in blocks A to G of Sushant Lok-2. The contractor was expected to complete the project by January 2024. This agency too cited the monsoon and Grap restrictions to seek extensions, which were granted up to December 25, 2024. Despite failing to meet the extended deadline, the contractor was not fined. The audit revealed that a Rs.35.44 lakh penalty imposed in November 2023 was never recovered. Instead, a payment of Rs.2.11 crore was cleared in October 2024 without any deductions-despite the contractor violating several technical norms, it showed. These included the use of bitumen sourced from a private refinery rather than a government-approved one, and the absence of a mandatory on-site laboratory and hot mix plant as per DNIT requirements. Moreover, the quality testing report was never submitted. Municipal commissioner Pradeep Dahiya responded to the findings, "Action will be taken based on the facts unearthed in the audit and internal probe. Any officer found guilty of negligence or wrongdoing will not be spared." He added that the matter reflects deep-rooted accountability issues and that those responsible will be held answerable. Officials within the civic body confirmed that disciplinary proceedings are likely to be initiated against the former chief engineer and other personnel linked to these violations. If further evidence suggests criminal negligence or financial misconduct, the case may also be escalated to the vigilance department for investigation, they said....