BMC Ropes at IIT-B to ensure quality control in urban road construction

October 2, 2024 06:56 EST

BMC ropes in IIT-Bombay for quality control of road concreting project in Mumbai, ensuring high standards and compliance through comprehensive inspections.

MUMBAI: With road concrete work resuming in Mumbai after the monsoon, BMC has roped in an external quality control organization: IIT-Bombay, which will be involved in the entire process, from checking materials to conducting surprise inspections. The directive regarding the involvement of the premier educational institution was issued by BMC commissioner and administrator Bhushan Gagrani.

BMC ropes at IIT-B to ensure quality control in urban road construction

IIT’s involvement is aimed at maintaining high standards and ensuring that all procedures comply with established guidelines. The institute has signed a memorandum of understanding with BMC.

As part of a large-scale initiative to improve the city’s road network, the BMC has approved concreting of 701 km of roads – 392 km in phase 1 and 309 km in phase 2. IIT-Bombay quality inspections will cover five packages in phase 2 (one each in urban and eastern district and three in the western district), as well as one package in Phase 1.

A critical meeting was held on September 30, 2024, at the BMC premises, chaired by Additional Municipal Commissioner (Projects) Abhijit Bangar. During the meeting, IIT-Bombay officials presented the Standard Operating Procedure to ensure quality control at every stage of road works.

IIT-Bombay, under the leadership of Professor KVK Rao, will lead the quality control process. The institute’s responsibilities include carrying out various tests, both in factories and on construction sites; providing adequate logistical support for planned field visits; conducting quality assurance tests such as cube tests, core tests, drop cone tests, durability tests and field density tests; providing guidance to avoid intentional or accidental quality compromises; and offering advice on best practice in road maintenance, reconstruction and renovation.

Other responsibilities of the institute include preparing technical audit reports and reviewing quality control test results, as well as conducting regular inspections and surprise visits to ensure compliance with established standards.

The IIT-Bombay team will closely coordinate with BMC’s engineering department, sharing insights and feedback in real-time. The comprehensive testing program will begin at the basic material preparation stage and will continue with frequent site visits and supervision of the entire process until the roads are completed. Bangar said IIT-B’s involvement will help prevent mistakes and use of substandard materials in road construction.

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