Now, BMC bridge engineers to be trained by IIT-Bombay experts

The engineers from the bridge department of the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) will be trained under the Indian Institute of Technology, Bombay (IIT-B) experts to enhance their skills at inspecting bridges. The decision was taken in the engineers' association meeting with the assistance of new BMC commissioner Praveen Kumar Pardeshi on Tuesday morning. The BMC has already sent one batch of road engineers to be trained by the IIT.

Meanwhile, the engineers' association withdrew their agitation after a positive response from the commissioner.

New commissioner Praveen Pardeshi assured to try to implement the new law by the state government to not file any case against government workers until departmental inquiry is complete. Meanwhile, the engineers' association expressed regret over their limited expertise in inspecting bridges. Pardeshi readily agreed to send engineers to be trained by experts from the IIT, Bombay. "It is very necessary to keep pace with current technology. This will help to improve skills of BMC engineers. The training will start in June," said Sainath Rajadhyaksha.

BMC had already decided in January to send 50 engineers from Road department to IIT Bombay for detailed training on road construction, repairs and resurfacing. They will also look at ways of eliminating potholes. The BMC pays IIT-B Rs. 14 lakh for the two-day program. One batch of engineer got the training from IIT. A similar training programme was held three years ago. However, since the staff keeps getting transferred, BMC decided to train the new batch too.

The engineers meet commissioner to express their condemnation over the arrests of their colleagues in the aftermath of the recent Himalaya foot over bridge collapse near CSMT. 42 engineers from the Bridges Department were on 15 days mass leave from May 9 and all other engineers supported them from Monday by working as per the rulebook. This affects monsoon preparedness as engineers are the backbone of road resurfacing work, revamping of the stormwater drainage system, nulla widening to prevent water logging in the rainy season. "The commissioner gave a positive response and assured preventive measures to avoid arrest of BMC workers without departmental inquiry. So we are back to work," said Sainath Rajadhyksh.

Sweet Promise

Newly appointed BMC commissioner Pravin Pardeshi assured to try to implement the new law by the state government to not file any case against government workers until departmental inquiry is complete