The Hindu 10.11.2010
BBMP to have Project Management Unit soon
Staff Reporter
Bangalore: The Bruhat Bangalore Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) will soon have a Project Management Unit to oversee projects. The unit will also ensure that there is transparency while implementing the projects, said K.V. Raju, Financial Adviser to Chief Minister.
He was speaking at a seminar organised by the Task Force for Quality Assurance in Public Constructions here on Monday.
“The unit will help design projects in a qualitative manner for timely implementation. It will lay emphasis on adopting new technologies and mobilising funds either from the Government or through public-private partnership,” he said.
Mr. Raju said that the unit was announced in the 2010-11 budget of the civic body as part of the Bharat Ratna Sir M. Visvesvaraya Infrastructure Development Plan. The unit will have onboard transaction advisers and technical experts. The unit will ensure that the tender process is transparent, accurate and easy.
The BBMP was also working out the feasibility of white topping at least 1 km of roads in each ward.
Mr. Raju suggested that young engineers be sent on study tours to other countries to learn about best practices. He said that engineers' services were not being utilised optimally. He urged the task force to frame guidelines to streamline the system.
Earlier, I. Ravindranath, member of the task force, urged the Government to accord magisterial powers for assistant executive engineers and above cadres to put projects on the fast track. Agencies for third party inspection must be short-listed by checking the equipment they have and a particular fee must be fixed for the same, he added.
