Now Reading: PMCs face scrutiny over poor civic works in Chennai
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PMCs face scrutiny over poor civic works in Chennai
Project management consultants (PMCs) overseeing Greater Chennai Corporation (GCC) works came under fire at a council meeting on Friday, with councillors flagging poor-quality pavements and questioning their role. DMK councillor C. Velu…
Project management consultants (PMCs) overseeing Greater Chennai Corporation (GCC) works came under fire at a council meeting on Friday, with councillors flagging poor-quality pavements and questioning their role. DMK councillor C. Velu and Deputy Mayor M. Magesh Kumaar said several pavements had been damaged within six to seven months of completion, alleging that PMCs were not properly inspecting infrastructure works.
Mayor R. Priya said the move, though well-intentioned, was poorly implemented, noting that even diploma students had been involved in quality checks in some projects. She suggested the GCC’s own engineering staff could conduct inspections instead. GCC Commissioner G.S. Sameeran clarified that PMCs were mandated by funding conditions from the Asian Development Bank and KfW.
Deputy Mayor Magesh Kumar said PMCs might not be needed for works using the GCC’s own capital funds. Works Committee chairperson N. Chitrarasu raised allegations of corruption involving consultants and officials. The Commissioner said that if such activity was found, a case could be registered under the Prevention of Corruption Act.
Indian Opinion Analysis
The criticism of PMCs reflects a long-standing tension between municipal engineering wings and externally mandated consultants, especially in cities where multilateral lenders impose PMCs as a condition for project loans. Chennai's own infrastructure track record, including repeated complaints about road and pavement quality after monsoon seasons, has eroded trust in inspection mechanisms. The real test will be how the corporation responds to the Works Committee's corruption allegations. The Commissioner's offer to register cases under the Prevention of Corruption Act provides a procedural path, but no FIR has been filed yet. Councillors are likely to press for an internal audit of PMC performance before the next council meeting on the budget.
Source: thehindu.com
This brief was synthesised by AI from the source linked above.
