To ensure transparency, BMC to put up all work orders on website

In a move that could bring transparency to the functioning of the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC), Mumbaikars will now have direct access to information about all work orders issued by the civic body henceforth.

Being repeatedly blamed for corruption and working hand in glove with contractors, the BMC will now make all details of work orders available for public viewing on its website. Top officials expect this will help in eliminating instances of bogus work orders.

Additional Municipal Commissioner (IT) Aseem Gupta said through technology, the section of electronic tendering or e-tendering on the BMC website www.mcgm.gov.in will be linked to all departments in the head office as well as divisional and ward offices. "As soon as a work order is issued to a contractor, its details will be uploaded on the website. The searchability options for citizens based on the exact location and type of work will be made easy to use. In case work doesn't begin, citizens can bring it to the ward office's notice," he said. Gupta added that the system will be in place by the end of this month.

That ward-level works involve the most corruption is common knowledge within municipal circles. Contractors who are in nexus with civic officials get tenders floated for works that are not required and pocket the money without doing practically any work on site. A work order is issued by the BMC to a contractor after the tendering process, formally asking for the work to be started.

An official from the finance department of the civic body said right from a work order regarding relaying a minor road to a major work order given to international firm for mega civic projects, all will be uploaded with exact site locations, cost, duration and nature of work.

"Citizens can access the website and check all ongoing works on their street and the deadlines. In case no work is going on, they can alert the ward office," he said. Apart from acting as a watchdog, this service will also allow citizens to know what works are being carried out in their area.

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