The Times of India                      15.02.2013

‘Politically backed contractors often allow illegal trench work’

MUMBAI: Politically backed
contractors and their arm-twisting tactics are allegedly the main
reason behind trenched roads lying unrepaired and ducts being installed
illegally, which have become the bane of motorists as well as
pedestrians in the city.

Politically backed contractors and
their arm-twisting tactics allegedly behind the illegal duct laying and
unfilled trenches along the roads inconveniencing the traffic and
pedestrians in a big way.

“Even after utility companies pay trenching fees to the BMC
for underground work and relaying of roads, the contractors appointed
for the reinstatement job often default on their work. Only prompt and
proper monitoring of the site can stop the shoddy attitude of
contractors and roads can be repaired faster. Moreover, if the
contractors are monitored, they will not be able to allow other firms to
work in the same pit without taking permissions and paying fees,” said a
source in the supply industry.

The BMC has got FIRs registered
against five utility firms for unauthorized digging and laying of
cables on Ghatkopar-Makhurd Link Road. The civic body found that Tulip Telecom, Reliance Communication and Tata Tele Services installed ducts illegally in a trench for which Tata Power Company and Mahangar Gas Ltd
had taken permission from the BMC’s M-East ward office. Each company
has reportedly caused the BMC a loss of around Rs 2.97 crore. MGL
spokesperson, however, said it had followed the BMC guidelines while
laying gas pipelines. “We fully cooperated with the authorities and
informed them once we finished installing the pipelines, as is the rule.
At no point do we work beyond the jurisdiction,” the spokesperson said.
Tata Power declined to comment. over the BMC action.

BMC officials said CWC system had been scrapped and engineers were monitoring reinstatement promptly.

On Wednesday the BMC lodged FIR against five utilities for unauthorized
digging on Ghatkopar-Mankhurd link road and causing BMC a loss of
approximately Rs 2.97 crore each. .

Going by the norms, after a
utility firm applies for underground work, a BMC engineer, along with
his counterparts from the applicant firm as well as the civil works
contractor’s company, inspect the site to confirm the details in the
application. “As contractors would so far reinstate trenches, the BMC
would charge the utility firm for the job. The payment had to be made to
obtain permission for the excavation and subsequent work,” said a
source, adding the ward engineer concerned would also issue work order
to the contractor for the relaying of the stretch. Proper backfilling of
trench has to be done simultaneously by Ward CWC.

“Within
seven days of a utility firm finishing its work, the contractor is
supposed to complete his job. A BMC engineer has to be vigilant till the
completion of the reinstatement or the contractors may allow improper
use of trenches already dug,” said a source.