Mumbai, 14 August: The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) has approved a significant contract for the construction of cement concrete (CC) roads in South Mumbai, despite the contractor agreeing to a rate 4% above the estimated cost. The contract, valued at approximately Rs 1,362 crores, follows extensive negotiations that reduced the initial bid from 9% above estimate to the final 4%, effectively saving around Rs 70 crores of public funds.
Former BJP corporator Makarand Narwekar has written to BMC Commissioner Bhushan Gagrani, emphasizing the need for stringent measures to ensure the quality and timely completion of the project. In his letter, Narwekar highlighted the importance of deploying CCTV surveillance at the construction sites, establishing a live dashboard to monitor real-time progress, and conducting monthly third-party audits to maintain quality standards.
Narwekar expressed concern over the 20-month delay in undertaking any cement concrete road work in South Mumbai and stressed the need for transparency and accountability in the upcoming project. "The entire work should be monitored under CCTV surveillance, and the live status must be available on a public dashboard for real-time updates. Additionally, a third-party audit should be conducted monthly to ensure the quality of the work," said Narwekar.
He also warned against any compromise on the quality of the roads and urged the BMC to take immediate action, including blacklisting the contractor, if deadlines are not met. "The citizens of South Mumbai have been enduring significant hardships due to the lack of construction on these roads. It is imperative that this project is executed efficiently and to the highest standards," Narwekar added.
The BMC's decision to proceed with the contract under these conditions reflects a focus on both fiscal responsibility and ensuring that the long-overdue infrastructure project meets the needs of the city's residents.
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