A proposal to make resident certification mandatory before contractors receive final payments for civic works has been submitted to the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation, bringing citizen approval into the process of checking work in Mumbai’s residential areas.
BJP corporator Makarand Narwekar, who represents Cuffe Parade, has asked the BMC to require either a Completion Certificate or a Satisfactory Work Certificate from local residents before releasing contractors’ final payments. The proposed certificate would confirm that the work was completed according to the approved scope, required quality standards and residents’ satisfaction.
Narwekar said in a letter to the civic body that the system could improve transparency and accountability in works carried out in residential colonies and public premises. He said the proposal was prompted by concerns over the quality of civic works in parts of Colaba and Cuffe Parade.
“Quality of work executed in many areas of Colaba and Cuffe Parade is not good. Ward-level officers are failing to ensure strict compliance, due to which residents are suffering,” Narwekar said. He added that residents should be able to confirm whether the completed work matched the approved scope and quality requirements.
The proposal would place residents alongside ward-level officials in the process of assessing whether a civic project should be considered complete. The report does not state whether the BMC has accepted the proposal, issued a response or begun work on a formal procedure for resident certificates.
Narwekar’s request is also linked to his efforts to make the use of the corporator’s fund more resident-driven. After being elected from ward 226, he wrote to residents of Cuffe Parade in February inviting suggestions for civic works that could be taken up through the fund.
The next step would be a decision by the BMC on whether resident certification can be incorporated into its contractor payment and civic works approval process.
