Need to dig roads? Apply online

Bangalore: Though it is strapped for cash, BBMP is trying hard to keep up with the reputation of the city as an information technology leader. 

The authority now has an online portal where anyone who requires road-digging services permission for various reasons, can apply for the permission online.

The road digging could be for water supply connections, underground OFC cables, sewage pipelines, gas pipelines, telephone, internet or electric cables. Clients can visit the authority’s website and choosing their zones from the portal, fill in an application along with details about the length, width, and number of pits required to be dug.

Once the client submits the application, the data is on the BBMP server and from there it will be sent to the android-enabled mobile phones of the respective zone engineers.

The engineer who receives the data will inspect the spot and will decide the type of digging- horizontal or open trench etc. 

Charges for approval of the road cutting by the BBMP is Rs. 600 per metre, excluding inspection, supervision and other third party labour charges.

According to the authorities, the process, including approval from the authority and collection of charges from the client, will take one week. Payment of charges can be easily done through net banking as the authority has tied up with 33 different banks in the city to hasten the entire process.

“Earlier, it was through demand draft and the payment reached the authority in its own time, but now with this online method, the funds will flow in quicker,” said Ramesh N.R., councillor and OFC committee member.

“The clients now need not walk into BBMP offices to get their applications processed and waste time in the process,” he added.