07 August,2011 07:30 AM IST | | Ravikiran Deshmukh
Even as CM pushes for newer technology to tackle the problem, sources say nothing fresh can be tested now, as present road contracts are valid till next year
After the death of a Force One policeman's wife, who was crushed by a BMC dumper when the bike he was riding skidded as he tried to avoid a pothole at Powai on Friday, Chief Minister Prithviraj Chavan closeted with Commissioners of BMC and MMRDA, officials from the road department and secretaries of Public Works Department and Urban Development Department Dhananjay Dhawad and Manukumar Srivastava respectively, in a meeting at his Mantralaya chamber on Saturday.
IIT Professor Krishna Rao and retired PWD bureaucrat NV Mirani were also present at the meeting where the CM suggested a special cadre for the BMC's road department.
Don't transfer road engineers
He took issue with the routine transfer of engineers from the road department, a move that affected the quality and maintenance of roads. The appointment of a special cadre would mean that concerned engineers could remain directly involved in the construction and maintenance of roads.
Attaching a special cell to the roads department of the civic body was recommended by the Standing Technical Advisory Committee (STAC) in December 2004, but not implemented.
According to an official present at the meeting, the civic authority is now seriously considering having one. The special planning cell will be in charge of computerising the data, designing roads, creating estimates of major works, and organising necessary field surveys and studies.
Merani, who was present at the meeting, confirmed, "We had recommended a special planning cell which would be attached to the Road Department, and urged that engineers working in the road department not be frequently transferred."
Implement new technology
Merani and STAC member Dr K V Krishna Rao made a presentation, stressing on how the problem can be tackled with the help of newer technology.
Chavan directed the use of latest procedures and instructed the BMC and MMRDA to take stern action against contractors found compromising with quality of construction.
Not till 2012
But it's too little, too late. Sources say new technology can't be tested this year because most contractors' contracts don't expire till 2012.
Rao adds, "The civic body is looking at some new procedures, but they need to be tested. Till then, we will have to wait for a dry spell to fix the potholes. This is why pre-monsoon work should be planned, executed and monitored properly."
In its recommendations, the committee had repeatedly suggested that the civic body monitor all work done prior to the rains to see best results in the long-term.
According to the STAC recommendations, general guidelines to repair potholes, constructing and tendering new road contracts are a must, which must be monitored by the BMC staff.
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Regular surprise inspections by the chief engineer (Roads, Bridges and Traffic) and Director (ES and P) are also a must.
