JOIN USIn order to crackdown on indiscriminate road digging, the Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) has decided to impose a hefty penalty.
The BBMP standing committee on Tax and Finance has issued strict notifications stating that private and government bodies digging roads without permission from the civic body will be fined up to Rs 25 lakh while individuals digging the road could be penalised by up to Rs 10 lakh.
The decision was taken to prevent rampant cutting and digging of roads to lay water pipes and cables. "If potholes are found within 96 hours of laying the roads, a fine of Rs 10,000 would be imposed," reads the order copy.
New rates for the rent of telecom towers have been finalised. The matter will be discussed at the BBMP council meeting to seek its approval.
M K Gunashekar, standing committee chairman of the tax and finance committee said that if companies using the horizontal drilling machines dig beyond the prescribed limit, then they will be fined Rs 1 lakh.
The palike has taken this stand since agencies like Bangalore Water Supply and Sewerage Board (BWSSB) and Besom dig roads frequently and don't restore it properly.