{
  "id": 17027622,
  "title": "Congress-led Keralam govt firm on anti-corruption probe against Gyanesh Kumar over 2006 road project",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/29/congress-led-keralam-govt-firm-on-anti-corruption-probe-against",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-10-29T07:38:45.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "The Hindu",
    "slug": "the-hindu",
    "url": "https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/kerala/congress-led-keralam-govt-firm-on-anti-corruption-probe-against-gyanesh-kumar-over-2006-road-project/article71639377.ece"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "On October 29, 2026, Keralam Public Works Department Minister P.K. Basheer called for a new investigation into corruption allegations surrounding the MC Road project from 2006, when Gyanesh Kumar was the Public Works Department (PWD) secretary. The previous Vigilance and Anti-Corruption Bureau (VACB) investigation concluded without a full resolution, leaving open questions about the government's alleged financial losses. Basheer revealed that a preliminary inquiry into the allegations had been ordered, but the final report had not yet been received. The project, undertaken by the Malaysian company PATI-BEL, faced criticism over inflated tender amounts, with the state suffering an estimated loss of ₹700 crore. Additionally, irregularities in the land acquisition process and payment approvals were also under scrutiny.",
  "summary": "State Public Works Minister tells Assembly that a fresh preliminary inquiry has been ordered into the allegations, though the report is yet to be received",
  "key_points": [
    "Keralam govt seeks new anti-corruption probe into 2006 MC Road project",
    "Former PWD secretary Gyanesh Kumar under investigation for alleged corruption",
    "₹700 crore loss alleged due to inflated tenders and irregularities"
  ],
  "editors_take": "Reopening the investigation into the 2006 MC Road project signals the government's intent to address long-standing questions regarding inflated tenders and significant financial losses incurred during the land acquisition process.",
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}