BMC auditor finds road contractors are taking city for a ride

A petition filed by a member of Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation’s (BMC) standing committee challenging the appointment of a Swiss multinational to audit the quality of ongoing road works in the city seemingly backfired on Friday when the auditor submitted an affidavit which points to glaring deficiencies in these projects.

A petition filed by a member of Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation’s (BMC) standing committee challenging the appointment of a Swiss multinational to audit the quality of ongoing road works in the city seemingly backfired on Friday when the auditor submitted an affidavit which points to glaring deficiencies in these projects.

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The PIL filed by corporator Niyaz Ahmed Vanu, had contended that SGS India Pvt Ltd was asked to start quality audits even before receiving the final quotation and approval by the standing committee. It also alleged that the contract was awarded merely on the recommendation made by chief minister Prithviraj Chavan and without inviting tenders.

In its defence, the auditor revealed the discrepancies it found in the ongoing road work, and its counsel Iqbal Chagla alleged that Vanu had been set up by the road contractors, who will lose at least Rs10 to Rs15 crore each because of them.

The division bench of justice SA Bobde and justice RD Dhanuka stated that there was no doubt the condition of roads in the city was poor, but they wondered why the contract was awarded without following the tender process.