Report on Darkali bridge construction

A detailed evaluation report published in November 2024 by Satprem Maïni, Director of the Auroville Earth Institute, highlighted several concerns regarding the ongoing construction of a bridge at Darkali for the Crown Road project.

The report indicates that while the initial plan called for a bridge spanning approximately 25 meters to cross a water body, the Central Public Works Department (CPWD) is now constructing a 160-meter-long structure. The excavation width reaches up to 25 meters in some areas, significantly exceeding the 9.1-meter limit recommended by the Joint Committee appointed by the National Green Tribunal.

Key findings from the report include that the construction has destroyed existing rainwater harvesting systems that previously collected approximately 3 million litres of water annually and that no drainage systems have been planned for managing water flow in an area that handles 60% of rainfall within the Crown. The project cost has increased from an initial estimate of ₹50 lakhs to approximately ₹500 lakhs. The report states that inadequate materials have been used and that the CPWD has failed to follow proper construction standards. The construction continues despite these issues and apparent violations of recommendations of the Joint Committee constituted by the National Green Tribunal Southern Bench regarding road width and environmental protection measures.