CBI Flags Cumulative Losses Exceeding Rs 4,200 Crore In JNPA Dredging Project, Summons Likely

The CBI flags over Rs 4,200 crore in financial losses in the Jawaharlal Nehru Port Authority dredging project, exposing deep-rooted corruption, inflated costs, and rigged contracts.

What began as overpayments for excess dredging has unraveled into a wider web of criminal conspiracy involving manipulated tenders, suppressed competition, and collusion between officials and private firms.

The probe, centered around senior officials of JNPA and executives from Tata Consulting Engineers (TCE), reveals a pattern of systemic irregularities and abuse of authority.

The CBI's complaint begins by highlighting two core instances of over-dredging that led to wrongful losses of Rs 365.90 crore in Phase-I and Rs 438 crore in Phase-II These figures are presented as key findings that initially surfaced during the enquiry.

However, the investigation goes much deeper. The CBI document explicitly notes that these losses are part of a broader web of financial misconduct and criminal conspiracy, which includes inflated estimates, tender manipulation, and rigged bidding processes.

A section following the initial losses states: “The facts disclosed during the enquiry are detailed in following paras” — signaling the expansion of the investigation into further financial damage.

Among the most serious findings: 

Rs 1,163 crore was added to the project cost due to the choice of a deeper 15-meter vessel draft (Option II) over the originally proposed 14-meter draft (Option I), without reassessment or justification.

A Rs 557 crore loss resulted from the adoption of composite dredging rates for hard and weathered rock, along with unnecessary pretreatment costs, instead of using differential rates.

The violation of PIANC (Permanent International Association of Navigation Congresses) guidelines led to Rs 964 crore in losses due to unauthorized channel widening in both phases.

An additional Rs 430 crore was paid for over-dredging during Phase-II, despite no supporting evidence of required depth.

Sources said CBI officials said all accused, including former JNPA Chief Manager Sunil Kumar Madabhavi and Devdutt Bose of TCE, will be summoned for questioning. "The investigation is ongoing, with further financial and criminal liabilities likely to emerge, source added.