BMP corruption is high, that’s why you see so many potholes

BMP corruption is high, that’s why you see so many potholes
New Indian Express

BANGALORE: The Lokayuktha discovered an unaccounted treasure at the residences of two engineers of Bangalore Mahanagara Palike (BMP) recently. They are likely to find half the money that was supposedly spent on roads in the last one decade, if all the engineers are subjected to similar scrutiny.

And, that partially explains why the city roads are not getting better. The labyrinthine network of corruption at the BMP makes it difficult to hold any one official or politician responsible. They are all part of the system that could well set a benchmark on corruption.

The road works in the city wards are proposed by the ward officers in association with the area councillor, which is then taken to the engineering department The engineering department forwards the same to the commissioner who in turn sends a note on the works to the standing committee on public works seeking its approval.

The standing committee, if it deems so, gives its nod and brings it before the council for its approval and the council resolution is sent to urban development department for its approval.

Only after the urban development department approves the BMP resolution, it can issue a work order to the contractors. Only then the work may begin on ground. Phew!

The contractors have to keep everyone in this chain in good humour and the cost built into their bids. As a result, the BMP works are bid at 40 per cent more than the estimated cost of the work.

For example, a work which the BMP estimates to cost Rs 100 is normally handed over to a contractor at Rs 140. And even then the quality and quantity standards are flouted because the 40 per cent premium fails to accommodate cost of escalations and other ‘political contingencies’.

By the way, the contractor too has to make his profit to sustain his position in the BMP.

The thickness of asphalt, compaction of the sub grade, drainage and geometric consistency remain the terms of agreement that are freely traded. So the game continues.