Mumbai: The state government has come up with a resolution for all bodies dealing with road repairs, making it mandatory for them to make public the “action taken” report on the poor condition of roads within three weeks from the date of receiving complaints.
The bodies will also have to start a dedicated cell for receiving public grievances. The rule will be applicable to all municipal bodies as well as the Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Auth-ority (MMRDA), Maharash-tra State Road Development Corporation (MSRDC), City and Industrial Development Corporation (CIDCO), and Mumbai Port Trust (MbPT). The quarterly report will be tabled before the Bombay high court.
As per the state government directions on August 18, all municipal corporations, councils and other bodies related to road repairs wi-ll have to submit their rep-orts regarding potholes and maintenance of roads on a quarterly basis to the Urban Development Department. According to the government resolution (GR), “Detailed compliance reports compiled by the state government shall be regularly placed before the Bombay high court and the same will incorporate details of complaints rece-ived and those successfully attended.” Not following the orders will be tantamount to contempt of court and the concerned body will be responsible for it.
The state government has directed that a grievances redress system be set up in every body. With this system, people can raise issues reg-arding roads and can also get replies to the same. The state government has asked to set up a system where people can come in person to submit their queries or call up the centre. The number will be toll-free.
Following the court order, the government has also directed civic bodies to appoint coordination officer to monitor grievances. It will be the duty of that officer to attend to all and promptly reply to them.
