BMC submits its road map in HC

As part of its long-term plans,the roads department will engage IT-based services to bring in added transparency and order to road works.

“Our long-term plans are in addition to the master plan we have been working on for the next four to five years. Apart from streamlining the roads management and maintenance system (RMMS),we plan to introduce services such as live works,supervisory control and data acquisition (SCADA) systems and web-trenching. These will aid supervision while road works are being carried out,” the official said.

“Live” works will allow civic officials to remotely supervise road works in real time. “The video feed on the works will also be stored and made available for public scrutiny. The system completely eliminates manual interface in supervision,which has been identified as being the main problem,” said a senior BMC official.

Similarly,SCADA is a computer-based programme that will allow officials to see what contents are being used in what quantity for the mixture laid on roads during construction,resurfacing and pothole-filling,said a BMC official.

Web-trenching is expected to bring accountability to over 35 utility agencies that dig roads haphazardly (causing potholes). It will also create a single-window online system for acquiring permission to dig roads,wherever necessary,in a systematic manner.

“We are also trying to see whether we can do away with trenching altogether. Every year,300 km to 400 km of road length around Mumbai is dug up by utility agencies. We are considering making it compulsory for all agencies to adopt trenchless technology such as horizontal directional drilling (HDD) that will reduce the ruinous impact of trenching,though the technology is expensive,” said the official.

The BMC also defended awarding contracts to the lowest bidder,saying the company awarded the contract also fulfils other conditions like quality of work,availability of infrastructure and manpower,past experience etc.

Mayor Sunil Prabhu said,“The court and the state government laid down rules that madate we award contracts to the lowest bidder. We are only following the rules set by them.”

The corporation has also informed the court of its short-term plans,which include third-party quality audits,carrying out pre-monsoon road works in time,completing works strictly as per specifications and ensuring the annual budget is fully utilised.