Using Artificial Intelligence, BMC found that the contractor, who is appointed to clean roadside drains and culverts along Mumbai's Eastern Express Highway, was mixing debris with silt. According to a civic official, the contract for the drain cleaning work in the M West ward, which covers Chembur and Tilak Nagar, was awarded to Bhoomika Transport
The Brihamumbai Municipal Corporation has cancelled the contractor's engineering registration. Representational pic
The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) has blacklisted a contractor for three years for mixing debris with nullah silt. The civic body has also decided to file a police case against the contractor.
Using Artificial Intelligence, BMC found that the contractor, who is appointed to clean roadside drains and culverts along Mumbai's Eastern Express Highway, was mixing debris with silt. According to a civic official, the contract for the drain cleaning work in the M West ward, which covers Chembur and Tilak Nagar, was awarded to Bhoomika Transport.
"During this work, complaints were received by the Storm Water Drains Department that the contractor was mixing debris with the silt to increase its weight. Along with the complaint, a video was also received, which showed the vehicle's registration number," the BMC official said.
Based on the vehicle number, officials obtained information about the contractor, in whose name the vehicle was registered, as well as the date of the video.
"Further investigation using Artificial Intelligence revealed the vehicle made trips to the silt removal site and engaged in loading and disposal. The analysis confirmed that debris-mixed silt was being transported. A show-cause notice was issued to the contractor on April 28 regarding this matter," the official added.
“In response to the notice, the contractor submitted an explanation on April 30 and May 7 (Wednesday). However, the explanations were found to be unsatisfactory. It was proven that the contractor had intentionally neglected work, resulting in a financial fraud against BMC. Therefore, a letter has been submitted to the police to register a case against the contractor," the BMC official stated.
Bhoomika Transport has been blacklisted for a period of three years for this misconduct. The contractor's engineering registration with the BMC has also been cancelled. According to Clause 7.3.6 of the Registered Contractor Rules 2016, the contractor has been instructed to submit the original registration certificate to BMC.
