The Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) has come under scrutiny for its decision to spend ₹54 crore on roads that were still under the Defect Liability Period (DLP). Leaders from the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and Shiv Sena have criticized the move, suggesting that the PMC should have compelled the same contractors who carried out the initial work to repair and resurface the roads at their own expense, rather than dipping into the civic body’s coffers.
According to former opposition leaders in the PMC and BJP members, Ujwal Keskar, and Suhas Joshi, the PMC recently approved five packages for road maintenance, with a total cost of ₹54 crore. They assert that the PMC used its funds to carry out the maintenance work, despite the fact that these roads were still within the Defect Liability Period.
Tenders for these road projects were invited between October 2022 and March 2023. However, when contacted for a response, an officer from the PMC road department declined to comment, stating, “How can I reply to political allegations?”
Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Prashant Badhe explained that when contractors build roads, they are responsible for any damages that occur during the Defect Liability Period, which typically ranges from 3 to 5 years. He highlighted that several of the recently repaired roads were found to have developed potholes and other issues, which should have been addressed by the contractors under the Defect Liability Period.
The Defect Liability Period is a contractual clause that holds the contractor accountable for any deterioration in the road’s quality during a specific time frame, usually three years, as per the Bombay Municipal Corporation (BMC) Act.
Ujwal Keskar emphasized that the PMC should ideally have a system in place to identify which roads are still within the Defect Liability Period, and this information should be prominently displayed on each road to keep citizens informed. He urged the PMC commissioner to conduct an inquiry into the matter, as there are concerns of possible corruption involved.
The controversy surrounding the expenditure on roads that are still under Defect Liability Period raises questions about proper contract management and financial accountability within the PMC. Citizens expect transparency and efficient utilization of public funds, and it is essential for the authorities to address these concerns and ensure responsible decision-making in all infrastructure projects. A thorough investigation into the matter will help uphold the integrity of the PMC and restore public confidence in the civic body’s actions.
