Work on 129 major roads over,rest after monsoon

Moreover,the civic body decided on Tuesday that if the newly laid roads develop potholes during the upcoming monsoon season,the respective contractors will have to fix them within 24 hours or else penalty will be imposed on them. The penalty amount,however,stands at a paltry Rs.1000 per pothole for a day’s delay in repair.

Even as officials admitted that the penalty is too little,they denied having any plans to revise and increase the rate.

Out of the remaining 32 major roads,work had already begun on 20 roads and the remaining 12 will be started after monsoon. “Work on the 20 roads which was started but we could not finish on time has been brought to a ‘safe’ mode wherein all the construction activities have been wound up temporarily for the four months of monsoon. They have been made motor-able for the monsoon period,” said Ramesh Ghodke,chief engineer (roads).

Out of the 129 major roads (roads wider than 30 feet) completed,five are in the island city,12 in the western suburbs and 16 in the eastern suburbs. A total of 96 asphalt roads have been completed — 24 in the city,36 in western suburbs and 36 in eastern suburbs.

In addition to delay in floating tenders for the 600 minor roads to be taken up for construction,the election code of conduct forced the BMC to issue the work order as late as on February 22. Due to the same,only 184 roads have been completed so far out which 62 are in the city,55 in the western suburbs and 67 in the eastern suburbs.