Poll code rush? BMC floats road tenders worth Rs 1,700 crore

The BMC has invited tenders to the tune of a whopping Rs 1,700 crore for carrying out road work in the western suburbs in what could be a race against time to woo voters before the code of conduct for the upcoming assembly elections is enforced. The corporation has floated tenders for improving nearly 185 roads in the suburbs, stretching from Bandra to Dahisar.

Due to poor planning on the part of the roads department, the civic body could manage to start issuing tenders only after the month of December over the past few years. But given the possibility of the code of conduct being implemented any time, the civic body has floated tenders well in advance after the corporation presented its Rs 31,178-crore budget for the on-going fiscal earlier this year.

Poll code has nothing to do with it: Civic official
"We have not floated tenders in view of the poll code, but to carry out work in a properly planned manner. Last year too, we were ready with tenders well in advance. But due to revision of the schedule of rates, we had to rework on tendering process, delaying the work in 2013-14. However, this year that is not the case as we have floated tenders," said a senior civic official who did not wish to be named.

How will the roads be improved?
According to the civic official, the work will include improvement of stretches with cement concrete, asphalt and mastic asphalt, strengthening stripes on arterial roads, construction of pedestrian-friendly footpaths on major roads (streets with more than 30 ft width), etc. Bringing about changes in the way it carries out road work, the BMC has decided to attend to minor issues like sealing of joints in old cement concrete pavements. "The work will be executed over a period of three years. We are focusing on providing footpaths, proper carriage way and median in roads. We will be sealing gaps between two lanes of a road so that water does not seep and weaken roads. This will also help us avoid accidents," the officer added.

When will the work begin?
With the elections round the corner, the proposals regarding road work can be tabled before members of the standing committee for its approval only in November, when the actual work can be undertaken. Thus, the BMC will have at least seven months to do the work (before the next monsoon season), giving it adequate time to coordinate and do quality work.

Which roads will be covered?
The BMC will improve 185 roads in the western suburbs. It will lay 112 roads with asphalt and 73 roads with cement concrete. It plans to execute its 'pedestrian first' project on eight roads. The project was launched in order to provide walker'-friendly footpaths.

The civic body is also mulling strengthening roads along the stretch between Bandra and Andheri. It will be improving the Link road (connecting Bandra to Andheri), Swami Vivekanand road (25-km stretch covering suburbs between Santacruz and Borivali), Sant Dnyaneshwar and Mahakali Caves Roads in Andheri amongst others.

"We plan to strengthen side stripes of SV Road and Link Road. The busy roads approaching railway stations will be given priority," the official said. The BMC is yet to float tenders for minor roads yet.

Plans to rope in major private players
Given the huge size of the contract amount, civic officials said they will be happy to rope in big private players. The BMC has in the past tried to rope in companies like Gammon India, L&T and others for carrying out road works in city. But things did not work out at that time. "We have received a response from a major private infrastructure company. Let's see what is in store as the bidding process goes on," the officer added.

Oppositionspeak
"The BMC allots a lot of money for road work every year, but it doesn't spend it. It could not spend even 50 per cent of the Rs 1500-crore allotted for road works in 2013-14. So it must ensure the funds are spent. Or else, it will be the same old story for Mumbaikars," said Devendra Amberkar, opposition leader in the BMC.