BBMP, big watchdog is tracking you

BBMP, big watchdog is tracking you
No Bills Will Be Cleared Unless Agency Certifies
Aarthi R | TNN

Bangalore: The Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike better watch its step on projects. A watchdog will monitor them, from the detailed project reports (DPRs) to the finished structure. And, adherence to the timeline for project completion will also be closely tracked. Surprise site visits and stringent lab tests will be the focus of this new team.
In a major step towards better innerdiscipline, BBMP has roped in a thirdparty quality checking and monitoring agency. The thumb rule now is: no bills will be cleared unless this agency certifies the work.
“All civil work above Rs 80 lakh, including those of road, steel bridges, underpasses and flyovers, will come under its ambit. There are at least 4,000 works going on in various stages of completion across the city. There’s a need to constantly monitor them at every stage,’’ BBMP officials told TOI.
The BBMP has entrusted this work as a three-year project to Civil Aid Techno Clinic through a tendering process. It will report to its engineering department. Nearly 13 labs have also been shortlisted to speed up the testing process and reduce the wait for results.
BBMP sources said this is a pilot attempt towards better quality and progress of work. “This follows recent complaints about faulty construction in some new underpasses. This happened despite regular inspection by our engineers,’’ a BBMP engineer explained.
NEW RULE FOR UNDERPASSES
The BBMP has now made this mandatory for magic boxes: All new vehicular underpasses in the city will be strictly 7.5 m wide and not less 4.5 m in height. This will apply to all underpasses to be taken up by the BBMP under its Rs 22,000 crore master plan which envisages at least 220 underpasses, say BBMP engineers.
BETTER QUALITY IN FOCUS
Team will keep watch on all aspects from detailed project reports to the finished structure Adherence to the timeline for project completion will be closely tracked Surprise site visits and stringent lab tests will be taken up Nearly 13 labs shortlisted to speed up testing process and reduce wait for results