The Mumbai civic body is planning to monitor closely the quality of work of contractors who handle road repairs and other constructions, especially those who have offered to complete work within 50% or less of the cost estimated by it.
The contractors will be monitored by the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation’s (BMC) vigilance department. A notice of motion to the effect got the go-ahead from the general body of elected representatives on Friday. The final call will be taken by the civic chief.
Sandeep Patel, the BJP corporator who tabled this motion in the general body where it was passed unanimously, said: “There are 30 to 35 different ongoing civic works in my ward. I am not a technical person to monitor the work and understand if a contractor uses sub-standard materials. Only a vigilance team officer will be able to identify the technicalities of the work and keep a tab on the materials being used.”
The quality of roads across the city is poor, and the BMC has faced flak constantly from citizens over poor work being done during road repairs. A probe ordered by civic chief Ajoy Mehta has reinforced citizens’ allegations that road contractors are doing sub-standard work.
Patel said the problem is not with all civic works, but there are some cases where the possibility of doing shoddy work is greater. “Contractors who offer to execute the work in 50% or less than the BMC’s estimated cost will find it tough to do quality work. Many of them use sub-standard materials,” he said. “There was no administrative procedure earlier to keep tabs. It is shocking that contractors who are the lowest bidders are chosen to do the work. Hence, all civic work carried out by such contractors must be investigated.”
{{/usCountry}}Patel said the problem is not with all civic works, but there are some cases where the possibility of doing shoddy work is greater. “Contractors who offer to execute the work in 50% or less than the BMC’s estimated cost will find it tough to do quality work. Many of them use sub-standard materials,” he said. “There was no administrative procedure earlier to keep tabs. It is shocking that contractors who are the lowest bidders are chosen to do the work. Hence, all civic work carried out by such contractors must be investigated.”
{{/usCountry}}In a recent incident, during an e-tendering process, a contractor bid to do civic work worth Rs4 crore at Rs1.8 crore, 55% less than the BMC’s estimated cost, near Sion Koliwada. Ravi Raja, leader of Opposition in the BMC, requested the civic administration to re-float the tender and blacklist this contractor.
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