Strict vigilance only way to ensure quality road work

Additional Municipal Commissioner Abhijit Bangar oversees road concreting work. Pic/BMC

In strict action over negligence in road concreting work, the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) has suspended an assistant engineer of roads. The civic body also issued a fine of Rs 50 lakh to the road contractor, while the quality control agency has been fined Rs 25 lakh. The action comes after Additional Municipal Commissioner Abhijit Bangar on April 7 visited the 34th road in Bandra West, where he found the dry lean concrete (DLC) used in the sub-base layer as ‘substandard'. Other sub-standard work was also found. Taking serious note of these deficiencies, a show cause was issued to the assistant engineer, the contractor, and the quality control agency.

This should set a precedent for road and infra works across the city. It also shows us that quality should be viewed collectively and holistically. There is the contractor, quality control agency and engineers who are all responsible and accountable. We often see that when it comes to taking responsibility, one agency shifts the blame to the other, a general merry-go-round ensues and nobody quite knows what is happening, a lot of time is lost, and the focus or main issue is lost amidst finger-pointing and the blame game. Most of all, the stakeholders who pay taxes and use these roads - drivers and pedestrians seem to be completely confused as to why these substandard works are happening and why nobody seems accountable.

Let this now flip the narrative. It will show contractors and others involved that there is a watchdog, and they are under scrutiny. It demands quality and shows that there are consequences, penalties that bite, if there is no delivery. Earn the faith of the public and show that quality means good materials used to ensure longevity.