Palike may scrap projects conceived two years ago

According to an order issued by the BBMP Commissioner Siddaiah, projects sanctioned in 2008-09 and 2009-10 have to be now re-approved by BBMP to be carried out in the future.

The order comes in the light of numerous small and medium scale projects which were tendered and issued to contractors but have not commenced till date.

BBMP officials state that the timing of the order is reflective of the financial health of BBMP, with the administrators concerned about the resource mobilisation required or the new projects likely to be approved by the Council.

“With this order, the contractors and the Zonal Commissioners will now have to revert to the Commissioner and the Engineer-in-Chief, who will then gauge the importance and necessity of the projects to be carried forth,” said a BBMP official.

Currently, the Palike is preparing a list of projects formulated during the two previous financial years and review the requirements for such infrastructure projects.

Sources state that the contracts of 2008-09 and 2009-10 were issued during the term of Dr Subramanya, as BBMP commissioner.

“Some of these contracts were sanctioned and the contractors are using the work orders to start work at their sweet will,” said a BBMP source.

Showcause notice issued

The BBMP on August 28 issued showcause notices to 84 Executive Engineers (EE) across the Palike zones for not providing any information on the progress of infrastructure projects under their jurisdiction.

A previous order had required all zonal heads to present the files on the proejcts to the technical committee for approval and quality checks. However, none of the files ever reached the BBMP Technical Committee even as bills for the same projects were ready for approval.

As a result, the Palike Commissioner, asked the engineers to bring all details regarding the works undertaken. Engineers have been asked to present the details of the projects relating to major roads, storm water drains and other major projects undertaken by them after July 1 of this year.

Insights

List of EEs who have been issued showcause notices

Chief Engineers      Executive
jurisdiction              Engineers

East                        8
West                       7
South                      8
Bommanhalli           5
Dasarhalli                4
Mahadevpura          4
R R Nagar                5
Yelahanka               5
Major Roads           15
Projects-1               4
Projects-2               4
BSUP                       3
Infrastructure          2
SWM                        2
SWM-North              4
SWM-South             4