← All questionsGS4 · 2013 · Ethics Case Study ·Unsafe Flyover vs Superior's Pressure
QUESTION 10
GS4
20 marks

You are working as an Executive Engineer in the construction cell of a Municipal Corporation and are presently in-charge of the construction of a flyover. There are two Junior Engineers under you who have the responsibility of day-to-day inspection of the site and are reporting to you, while you are finally reporting to the Chief Engineer who heads the cell. While the construction is heading towards completion, the Junior Engineers have been regularly reporting that all construction is taking place as per design specifications. However, in one of your surprise inspections, you have noticed some serious deviations and lacunae which, in your opinion, are likely to affect the safety of the flyover. Rectification of these lacunae at this stage would require a substantial amount of demolition and rework which will cause a tangible loss to the contractor and will also delay completion. There is a lot of public pressure on the Corporation to get this construction completed because of heavy traffic congestion in the area. When you brought this matter to the notice of the Chief Engineer, he advised you that in his opinion it is not a very serious lapse and may be ignored. He advised for further expediting the project for completion in time. However, you are convinced that this was a serious matter which might affect public safety and should not be left unaddressed. What will you do in such a situation? Some of the options are given below. Evaluate the merits and demerits of each of these options and finally suggest what course of action you would like to take, giving reasons.1) Follow the advice of the Chief Engineer and go ahead.

WRITE IN
14 min
250 words

What the examiner wants

Decide how an Executive Engineer should act when the Chief Engineer wants an unsafe flyover expedited.

Case studyName the stakeholders and the issues, weigh the options, and say what you would do and why.

Demand-wise check

  1. 1Stakeholders: public users, contractor, junior engineers, Chief Engineer, municipal body≈50 words
  2. 2Ethical issues: public safety vs deadlines, obedience vs conscience, accountability for false reports≈50 words
  3. 3Options: follow Chief Engineer (unsafe, complicit); written report and written orders (protective); direct correction (right but needs authority); escalate above (last resort); transfer/sick leave (evasion)≈50 words
  4. 4Chosen course: document deviations, seek written orders, insist on rectification, escalate if overruled, hold JEs accountable≈50 words

Open in about 30 words and close in about 30.

Answer plan

StakeholdersIssuesEvaluate optionsChosen courseSystemic fixes (third-party audits)

Where marks usually go

  • Choosing transfer or sick leave
  • Accepting oral orders without written record

Draw this

  • Decision tree: rectify → if overruled → written orders → escalate

Value addition

  • RuleCCS (Conduct) Rules 1964, Rule 3: oral directions from superiors should be confirmed in writing.CCS (Conduct) Rules, 1964
  • ExampleKolkata's Vivekananda Road flyover collapse (2016) killed over 20 people.Kolkata, 2016

Mapped topper copies

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