BMC to appoint monitor for city’s minor roads too

Under fire for the abysmal state of roads in Mumbai, the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) has decided to appoint a third-party auditor to monitor and supervise the work on minor roads too.

Under fire for the abysmal state of roads in Mumbai, the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) has decided to appoint a third-party auditor to monitor and supervise the work on minor roads too.

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The civic body has already appointed SGS Consultants, an international firm, as auditor for major roads. According to sources, it is likely to go with the same firm for minor roads. The auditor will test the materials used for making roads at two spots — the place where it is manufactured, as well as at sites where road work is on.

Work on minor roads (those less than 30 feet wide) is due to start on November 1, while work on major roads began on October 16.

In order to doubly ensure that contractors don't get away with shoddy work, the BMC also plans to nominate specific engineers as ‘road guardians’ for specific roads. The engineer concerned would be made directly responsible for the quality of work on the road assigned to him.

Additional municipal commissioner Aseem Gupta also said that greater check would be kept on contractor firms trying to outsource their work to sub-contractors. “We have kept provisions where they can sub-contract (the work) in certain aspects. However, no outsourcing will be allowed without prior approval from the BMC.”

On Tuesday, HT had reported that the bids submitted by the contractors for minor roads was between 12% and 29% below the civic body's estimates, raising concerns about the likely quality of work.