BMC woos big firms to rebuild roads in suburbs

After facing flak over the sorry state of roads for two monsoons, the civic body has started appointing bigger, reputable firms to build roads in the city rather than small-time contractors, as has been the practice, Kunal Purohit reports.

After facing flak over the sorry state of roads for two monsoons, the civic body has taken the first step towards appointing bigger, reputable firms to build roads in the city rather than small-time contractors, as has been the practice.

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This move could mean that Mumbai will get better, long-lasting roads in the future.

As big firms tend to bid for only high-cost projects, the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) is looking to lure them with three contracts worth Rs. 150 crore, Rs. 143 crore and Rs. 92 crore, which is a first for the BMC, which usually hands out contracts worth only tens of crores.

The contracts, worth Rs. 390 crore, are to rebuild 73 roads in the western suburbs.

Last year, the BMC had increased the tender amount to Rs. 50 crore to Rs. 70crore, but it had not worked. “We tried to rope in bigger contractors the last time, but failed.

That’s why we have tenders of bigger amounts this year,” said GM Aggarwal, chief engineer, roads department.

The BMC has also decided not to allow contractors to get into joint ventures and has set conditions that can be fulfilled only by big firms. For instance, it has made it mandatory for contractors to own the machinery to be used.