BMC to fine its engineers for delay in pothole repair

The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) will heavily fine its engineers if they violate the 48-hour deadline set to assign pothole repair works to contractors. HT reports.

The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) will heavily fine its engineers if they violate the 48-hour deadline set to assign pothole repair works to contractors.

HT Image

A fine of Rs. 50 would be levied per pothole for a day’s delay from engineers. This penalty would double to Rs. 100 for delay on the second day and so on.

A circular was issued by civic chief Sitaram Kunte on Saturday that revived the system of levying fines on civic engineers despite opposition by the engineers’ union last year. However, the fine amount has been reduced from Rs. 1,000 per pothole a day that was set last year.

After the potholes are reported on the civic body’s pothole tracking software, they are forwarded to the road engineer concerned by software operators depending on their location.

The engineer is expected to examine the pothole site, determine its size and depth and assign it to the contractor for repair. This exercise needs to be carried out within 48 hours.

While Kunte confirmed that the circular had been issued, he refused to divulge details on when the system would be put into effect. Officials said it would be put in place with immediate effect.

The official said if the grade is lower than the negative of 100 points at the end of monsoon, a remark would go against errant engineers which might affect their promotions and increments.