Chennai corporation to penalise contractors for defective road patchwork

CITY MATTERS Chennai “Not a day goes by when I do not rub balm on my back to soothe the pain of travelling across uneven road patches and navigating bumpy streets,” said Deepa, a pink autorickshaw driver in Egmore. This has been the case for decades and issues resurface as Greater Chennai Corporation (GCC) begins patching up roads.

To tackle this, the civic body has introduced penalties for defective road patchwork, with provisions to make contractors redo the work and terminate their contracts if violations persist, according to an official circular issued last week, an official mentioned. Under the revised provisions detailed in a circular from the Works Department to officials, the contractors will face a penalty and directed to redo the work for the first instance of violating norms such as uneven laying of patches.

If the violation is repeated, they will be warned. A third instance of non-compliance will result in termination of the contract and the work being assigned through a fresh contract, a GCC official said.