BBMP fails to collect fines worth ₹145 crore from unauthorised road digging
The Hindu
As many as 1,175 unauthorised road-digging incidents were reported between 2015 and 2021, involving even government agencies. The Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) has failed to collect fines and fees totalling ₹145 crore for these violations.
As many as 1,175 unauthorised road-digging incidents were reported between 2015 and 2021, involving government agencies too. The Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) has failed to collect fines and fees totalling ₹145 crore for these violations.
This revelation emerged in the 40th report presented in both the houses by the Joint Legislative Committee on Local Bodies and Panchayat Raj Institutions on Tuesday. The committee criticised BBMP for its delayed approval process, saying it indirectly encouraging unauthorised road digging. The committee has mentioned this in its report from the observations made by the CAG.
Road cuts are necessary for various service providers, including underground cable installations, electricity lines, and water pipelines. However, BBMP mandates prior permission for such work and has also established a Standard Operating Procedure (SOP).
According to the SOP, any government or private agency violating the rules is liable to pay a fine of ₹25 lakh per case. However, despite these regulations, 1,175 unauthorised projects were carried out. Among these, Bangalore Electricity Supply Company (Bescom) and the Bangalore Water Supply and Sewerage Board (BWSSB) accounted for 95 and 97 projects, respectively. The combined penalties and fees from these violations amount to ₹145 crore.
Additionally, private companies went ahead with 983 projects, digging 7,56,367 meters of road for various purposes, even after permissions were denied. BBMP failed to collect ₹119.45 crore in approval fees for these works.
The committee has also recommended action against 18 engineers for dereliction of duty during issuing tenders between 2006 and 2012 in connection to stormwater drains. This was also observed in the CAG report.
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