Stating that the officials concerned were not adhering to the specified norms in the usage of materials and execution of the work, he demanded that an inquiry be initiated into the matter within 24 hours.

Speaking to reporters, Standing Committee Chairman N V Patel said an independent inquiry into the matter would be initiated to check the veracity of the allegations. Deputy Municipal Commissioner (Administration) H S Patel has suggested the Gujarat Engineering and Research Institute (GERI) for the same, he added.

Meanwhile, City Engineer B K Desai has served notices to contractor Praveen Patel and Deputy Engineer Upendra Joshi in-charge of widening of the M S University Pavillion Road asking them to explain the alleged use of oversized stones in the road work.

Mayor Bharti Vyas, however, dismissed the Opposition allegations as baseless stating that the work on the model roads was being efficiently handled. Commenting on the Standing Committee chief's decision to investigate the charges, Vyas said, ``Even if an inquiry is initiated, the work on the roads will continue as scheduled''.

Ward office: The South zone office of ward number 4 will be inaugurated by Mayor Bharti Vyas on Thursday at 10.30 am at the ward office premises on Sindhwai Mata Road. The new office will have a staff of 89 officials. Only the East and North offices of ward number 4 remain to be opened with the inaugural of the South zone office.

Anti-encroachment drive : Brick manufacturing units, sheds, larries, cabins and slums lining the Manjalpur Road, Township No 2, Shantikunj Char Rasta and Kabir Complex, Makarpura Road as well as the vacant plot under the Makarpura police station were evacuated by Deputy Municipal Commissioner H S Patel on Tuesday, following instructions of Municipal Commissioner G R Aloria.

Adjourned: The General Board Meeting of the Vadodara Municipal Corporation (VMC) was adjourned on Tuesday to mark the death of Minister of State for Urban and Rural Housing Maganbhai Kasundra last week. The meeting will now be held on Thursday.