CM pulls up agencies for shoddy work,poor planning

Chief Minister Prithviraj Chavan and his deputy Ajit Pawar slammed the development agencies and criticised the quality of raw materials used in the construction of flyovers in the wake of the potholes on the recently inaugurated Lalbaug flyover.

As Chief Minister Prithviraj Chavan and his deputy Ajit Pawar inaugurated the southern arm of the Barfiwala flyover in Andheri on Monday evening,they slammed the development agencies and criticised the quality of raw materials used in the construction of flyovers in the wake of the potholes on the recently inaugurated Lalbaug flyover.

They were severely critical of the hasty decision of the MMRDA to throw the flyover open to traffic before the monsoon. Pawar also said that quality should not be compromised in any projects.

The technical heads of MMRDA and the MSRDC must ensure that the quality of work as well as the time period in which they complete it is as per the highest standards. While we were celebrating the opening of the longest flyover (Lalbaug) in the city,it had a technical problem and we had to face severe criticism. It has been said that the potholes were due to rains. Many western and eastern countries have so many flyovers. They also get rains,but the quality is maintained. The contractor who has constructed this flyover must be taken to task and blacklisted, said Pawar.

On the Lalbaug flyover,the Chief Minister said the MMRDA should have waited another fortnight for the road surface to get firmer before opening it. The report that was sought after the potholes surfaces has been submitted. The MMRDA should look into it and see what lessons can be learnt from the incident, Chavan said.

Chavan also cited lack of proper planning which was responsible for the slow pace of infrastructure projects in the city. In case of the Barfiwala flyover,I was told it will be ready within 15 months after the construction began. When the common man asks reasons for the delays,he is given reasons such as impediments in work,permissions required,resettlement and rehabilitation issues to be resolved etc. However,I am of the opinion that these delays are caused mainly because of lack of proper planning keeping in mind the possible impediments, the Chief Minister said.

Pawar,too,expressed displeasure over the delay in completing the infrastructure projects in the city. While on the way for the inauguration of this flyover,I went through the record and realised it was planned way back in 2006. How can the agencies take so many months to complete the work? The cost of construction must have doubled as compared to 2006. This is unacceptable, he said.

The skywalk project initiated by former MMRDA commissioner and Chief Secretary Ratnakar Gaikwad also drew flak. Questions are raised about the lack of usage of skywalks. The authority also has the responsibility to check whether the skywalks are used by pedestrians through surveys, Chavan said.

Stay updated with the latest - Click here to follow us on Instagram