Q. An elevated corridor is being constructed to reduce traffic congestion in the capital of a particular state.
You have been selected as project manager of this prestigious project on your professional competence and experience. The deadline is to complete the project in next two years by 20 June, 2021, since this project is to be inaugurated by the Chief Minister before the elections are announced in the second week of July 2021. While carrying out the surprise inspection by inspecting team, a minor crack was noticed in one of the piers of the elevated corridor possibly due to poor material used. You immediately informed the chief engineer and stopped further work. It was assessed by you that minimum three piers of the elevated corridor have to be demolished demolished and reconstructed. But this process will delay the project minimum by four to six months. But the chief engineer overruled the observation of inspecting team on the ground that it was a minor crack which will not in any way impact the strength and durability of the bridge. He ordered you to overlook the observation of inspecting team and continue working with same speed and tempo. He informed you that the minister does not want any delay as he wants the chief Minister to inaugurate the elevated corridor before the elections are declared. Also informed you that the contractor is far relative of the minister and he wants him to finish the project. He also gave you hint that your further promotion as additional chief engineer is under consideration with the ministry. However, you strongly felt that the minor crack in the pier of the elevated corridor will adversely affect the health and life of the bridge and therefore it will be very dangerous not to repair the elevated corridor.
o Under the given conditions, what are the options available to you as a project manager?
o What are the ethical dilemmas being faced by the project manager?
o What are the professional challenges likely to be faced by the project manager and his response to overcome such challenges?
o What can be the consequences of overlooking the observation raised by the inspecting team?
Question from UPSC Mains 2021 GS4 Paper
Model Answer:
The case highlights a severe conflict between public safety, professional integrity, and political expediency, testing the Nolan Principles of objectivity, accountability, and honesty.
Options and Ethical Dilemmas
- Comply with superiors: Ignore the crack for timely completion. Ensures promotion but risks public safety and compromises integrity.
- Resign from the post: Avoids direct conflict but demonstrates escapism from duty and abandons public interest.
- Persuade, document, and escalate (Optimal Option): Pause construction, demand written orders, and escalate to higher authorities to ensure structural safety.
- Public Safety vs. Political Expediency: Safeguarding citizen lives versus meeting arbitrary pre-election deadlines.
- Hierarchical Obedience vs. Professional Integrity: Following the Chief Engineer’s directives versus adhering strictly to engineering ethics.
- Personal Ambition vs. Conscience: Yielding to promotion incentives versus upholding the constitutional duty of care (Article 21).
- Means vs. Ends: Tolerating substandard contractor materials to achieve the ‘end’ of timely project inauguration.
Professional Challenges and Response
Challenges:
- Navigating hierarchical coercion and defying a direct superior.
- Facing political backlash or transfer due to the contractor’s ministerial links.
- Risking career progression and the promised promotion.
Optimal Response:
- Demand Written Orders: Request the Chief Engineer’s directives in writing (Rule 9, AIS Conduct Rules).
- Third-Party Assessment: Commission an independent structural audit (e.g., from an IIT or NIT).
- Institutional Escalation: Document findings officially and escalate to the Departmental Secretary or Vigilance Officer if ignored.
Consequences of Overlooking the Observation
- Catastrophic Loss of Life: Eventual structural failure causing mass casualties (e.g., Morbi Bridge collapse).
- Criminal Liability: Future prosecution for criminal negligence and collusion (Prevention of Corruption Act).
- Financial Ruin: Massive loss to the public exchequer due to eventual collapse and mandatory reconstruction.
- Erosion of Public Trust: Severe damage to the credibility of the administration and the engineering profession.
A project manager must emulate E. Sreedharan’s benchmark of absolute professional accountability, ensuring that temporary political pressures never compromise permanent public safety and welfare.
