Nagpur Mayor Orders Third-Party Audit of Poor-Quality Cement Roads and Drainage Works

Nagpur: Allegations of substandard civic infrastructure work carried out over the past four years during the administrative regime have prompted the Nagpur Municipal Corporation (NMC) to initiate stricter scrutiny. Mayor Nita Thackeray on Tuesday directed the administration to conduct a third-party audit of cement roads, drainage systems, sewage lines, and paver block projects across the city.

The decision came during a high-level review meeting held at the NMC headquarters. The meeting was attended by Deputy Mayor Leela Hathibed, Standing Committee Chairperson Shivani Dhani-Wakhare, ruling party leader Balya Borkar, Municipal Commissioner Dr. Vipin Itankar, senior engineers, finance officials, contractor association representatives, and other civic officers.

During the meeting, Mayor Thackeray instructed the administration to get at least 10 percent of the completed civic works inspected by reputed technical institutions such as IIT Bombay or COEP Pune. She also emphasized the need for greater transparency in the tendering process and directed officials to strengthen the existing system.

The Mayor further suggested increasing the security deposit amount collected from contractors and advised officials to seek legal opinion regarding EPF-related issues linked to contractors and workers.

Balya Borkar Demands Probe Into Low-Bid Tenders

Ruling party leader Balya Borkar demanded that the earlier system of investigating unusually low-cost tenders through the Standing Committee be revived. He noted that such scrutiny was previously conducted between 2010 and 2017.

Borkar also proposed that if funds remain unutilized after completion of a development project, the remaining amount should be used within the same ward. He additionally called for penalties against contractors who fail to complete projects on time.

Separate Laboratory Planned for Quality Testing

Municipal Commissioner Dr. Vipin Itankar announced that a nationally reputed institution would be appointed to conduct quality testing of civic works. He also directed the concerned department to establish a dedicated laboratory for testing the quality of construction materials and completed projects.

FIR to Be Filed Against Contractors Using Fake Certificates

The Municipal Commissioner also took serious note of complaints alleging that some contractors submitted forged certificates to secure civic contracts. Dr. Itankar directed officials to immediately register criminal cases against such contractors.

He further instructed the administration to inform the concerned municipalities whose fake certificates were allegedly used during the tender process.

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