Hindustan Times 07.01.2010
Needed: Joint effort for civic projectsThe recent pipe burst at Nana Chowk has prompted corporators to demand a policy to ensure coordination between the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC), the Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA) and the Maharashtra State Road Development Corporation (MSRDC) for planning and implementation of infrastructure projects.
On Monday, a water main at Nana Chowk burst due to negligence on part of a contractor hired by MSRDC to construct a skywalk. The pipe burst resulted in huge loss of water and supply was restricted to parts of south Mumbai for two days. The civic body has asked MSRDC to pay Rs 31 lakh for the damage and loss.
Demanding stringent action and a strict policy to avoid such incidents in future, the civic standing committee members adjourned the meeting for ten minutes.
“There has to be a policy in place to ensure that such cases are not repeated,” said NCP leader Niyaz Vanu.
Yogesh Sagar of BJP said, “If strict action is not taken then contractors will become carefree in future. Hence there should be a fine at the commercial rate for all the water they wasted.” Almost 6million liter of water was lost due to the pipe burst.
BJP leader Ashish Shelar argued that if a Ground Information System (GIS) was in place, the incident could have been avoided.
However, Additional Municipal Commissioner Anil Diggikar, argued: “We had provided them with information and maps about underground utilities and asked them not to treat it as an NOC. The work was conducted without permission. We will decide a plan of action to ensure co-ordination,” said
Meanwhile, Sena leader Sunil Prabhu alleged that the civic body was bowing its head in front of the state body.
Congresss corporator Sameer Desai said, “The issue should not be politicised and the civic body should check its performance and role instead of putting the entire blame on MSRDC. Those at fault should be fined but the quality of their (MSRDC) work cannot be questioned.”
