The New Indian Express 04.10.2010
‘BBMP splurging on consultancy’
BANGALORE: The Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) seeks consultancy from private agencies at the cost of several crore rupees every year when it can get the same level of expertise and assurance from the Public Works Department (PWD) for free.Over the years, many PWD engineers have been deputed to the BBMP, but it seldom uses their expertise on public works.
Senior PWD officials said the Palike had seldom consulted the agency for their services though the PWD will not charge any government agency for consultation.
“We have a laboratory that has all the facilities like any other private establishment,” said a senior official on condition of anonymity.
A consultancy firm provides services like soil testing, concrete brick testing, checking of cement quality, steel quality and concrete core strength among the various other tests conducted by a laboratory to ensure quality and efficiency.
PWD officials said they had been given similar responsibilities by the Urban Development Department but none by the Palike. Also, the BBMP has set up a thirdparty monitoring system to carry out quality checks.
This year, the Palike hired the Civil Aid Techno Clinic, a private firm, for `4 crore to ensure that there is proper supervision of all the works undertaken by the Palike costing over `80 lakh.
Bharat Lal Meena, the former BBMP commissioner, had said the Palike would ensure that contractors adhere to prescribed standards.
The BBMP undertakes construction work worth hundreds of crores of rupees every year and more than one per cent of the cost of the project is given for consultation.
The issue was raised in the last BBMP Council meeting on September 29 by Nagapura corporator Harish.
He had pointed out that the Palike had consulted on petty issues, such as asphalting of roads, construction of compound walls, among others.
