A probe by the Central Bureau of Investigation has revealed that two private manufacturers supplied sub-standard ‘concrete sleepers’ (used to strengthen railway tracks) to the Indian Railways. On the basis of a complaint, the CBI has registered a case against the manufacturers and plans to expand its investigation to 79 others.

The agency says 90 percent of the supplies of concrete sleepers are allegedly of inferior quality.

The companies under the scanner are Orissa Concrete & Allied Industries and Concrete Sleeper Plant – both based in Chhattisgarh. On testing the final consignment of over one lakh sleepers, investigators found that the quality of the sleepers were allegedly 70 percent below the standard. The ministry has asked both companies to stop production.

Shockingly, when the companies supplied the sub-standard sleepers, railway officials tested, inspected and passed the product. The ministry too immediately released the payment of Rs 23 crore to the companies. But before it could be laid on the tracks in Chhattisgarh, CBI after checking the product, declared it below standard. The ministry then discarded the consignment.

There are 81 private companies across the country who are manufacturing concrete sleepers. The CBI is likely to write a letter to the ministry, seeking permission to expand its investigation to other manufacturers.