BMC releases 24 pothole helplines, but 8 are non-functional
What's the story
Following a July 2016 Bombay HC directive, BMC on May 18 released a fresh list containing WhatsApp numbers of road engineers working in all 24 wards.
Citizens can contact them directly to get potholes repaired in their areas.
However, eight numbers in the list are non-functional. This, despite the BMC having faced flak before for issuing similar non-operational numbers.
Details
The WhatsApp method was touted to be an easier alternative
This method of complaint redressal was touted as an easier alternative than BMC's often-bugged app MCGM24X7, but given the glitches, it seems to be a far-fetched idea.
After receiving flak for incorrect numbers in the past, BMC officials claim to have enlisted accurate numbers this time.
But the numbers of G-North, K-West, P-North, R-South, N, T, H-East and S-wards were found to be faulty.
Faults
Not just incorrect numbers, the mechanism is unsupervised
Apart from incorrect numbers, this redressal mechanism fails in another department: it's not centralized.
This means senior officials will be in the dark regarding the progress of complaints.
So following-up with the engineer and getting the work done will be solely a citizen's duty.
Vinod Chithore, chief engineer of BMC's roads department, didn't comment on the glitch but admitted it's a decentralized system.
Bumpy ride?
Another challenge: 30% roads won't be monsoon-ready on time
With monsoon just three weeks away, BMC has another challenge up its sleeve: repairing roads.
It'll fail here too, as 30% of road repair would remain unfinished when monsoon sets in.
Out of its load of 1,878 roads, 584 will be temporarily covered up till monsoon-end.
Due to monsoon lashings, roads incur a lot of damage, thus increasing BMC's workload manifold.