Govt to probe Louis Berger contracts: CM

The Maharashtra Government has decided to probe into the big-ticket projects involving the US-based project management consultant, Louis Berger.

During the 15-years of rule of the Congress-NCP Democratic Front government, the Louis Berger has been involved in several projects like the Mono Rail, Metro Rail, Navi Mumbai International Airport and Santacrtuz Chembur Link Road.

In Goa, the Louis  Berger has snowballed into a major political issue with the arrest of former Public Works Department minister Churchill Alemao — and former chief minister Digambar Kamat coming under the scanner of investigating agencies.

Speaking to reporters at Mantralaya, the state secretariat here, Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis said that a probe has been ordered. “Yes... we have ordered a probe,” he said, adding that Additional Chief Secretary (Home) has been asked to look into the issue and prepare a report.

The Indian set-up of the New Jersey-based PMC, was under scrutiny for reportedly paying bribes to secure water and sewerage projects in Assam and Goa, and now Maharashtra becomes the third state.