City's roads, drains to lie in disrepair?

Following non-payment of dues by the civic body, contractors have threatened to stop road asphalting, widening and storm water drain work

Following non-payment of dues by the civic body, contractors have threatened to stop road asphalting, widening and storm water drain work
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With their payments due for the past two years, BBMP contractors have threatened to stop road asphalting, widening and storm water drain work in all of the civic body's 198 wards.

Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike Contractors' Association president, R J Srinivas said, "We have to fight every month with the BBMP and it is only then that the body gives us a paltry sum, which goes in paying interest to the bank."


All work and no pay? Contractors allege that the BBMP was cash-
strapped due to the existence of a mafia that bids for projects with the
backing of local MLAs. Representation pic

Contractors also rue that they hire educated engineers to execute work but contracts are given based on political considerations.

Rajaram, another contractor from the association said they were aware of the adverse effects their stopping work would have on the city and the citizens during the rainy season but said they were left with no choice.

He said they would have to stop work by the end of this month if they did not get the money. "We have our families to look after. If we do not get money, how will we run the show?" he asked.

Contractors said that the BBMP was cash-strapped due to the existence of a mafia which bids for projects with the backing of local MLAs.

Explaining this, contractors said bribing during tenders was a ritual ufffd a certain portion is given when the tenders are being filed and the remainder when the work is in progress.

"Work is carried out on projects bagged through such tenders and the bill is footed for such contractors, while genuine ones like us are left to suffer. We know the public will suffer, but we don't have any choice," said Srinivas.

Paucity of funds
The contractor association members say they assemble at the BBMP head office every morning to air their views and problems. However, the only answer they get is that the BBMP is financially strained and they will get their money in bits and pieces and not as a one-time settlement.

The other side
Municipal Commissioner Siddaiah said, "The severe financial crunch in the BBMP has led to this delay in clearing the contractors' dues. We will clear their dues in parts as soon as we generate funds."

When he was asked about the method of fund generation he had in mind, Siddaiah said, "Property enhancement through kahta registration for non-agricultural land and the targeting of Rs 4 lakh-plus non-tax paying households will get the BBMP enough revenue to manage the situation. Monday's announcement in the Assembly regarding the inclusion of 300 revenue layouts will also give us some breathing space."