Puducherry Smart City Development Limited (PSCDL) has recently made an important decision to ensure the quality and safety of ongoing and new projects under the Smart Cities Mission. They have selected the renowned Indian Institute of Technology-Madras (IIT-M) to conduct third-party inspections, aiming to maintain high standards throughout the construction process.
To carry out this crucial task, a team of experts from IIT-M with extensive experience in quality check services for various Union government projects, including international ventures, will be deployed. Working closely with the PSCDL team, these experts will meticulously examine the projects to guarantee adherence to construction norms and safety regulations. Given the substantial investments involved in most Smart Cities Mission projects in Puducherry, it is imperative to conduct third-party inspections to ensure compliance with the highest standards, as stated by an official.
Initially, the expert team will focus on inspecting major ongoing and upcoming projects undertaken by PSCDL. These include the construction of a mini stadium valued at ₹12.19 crore, the development of multi-storey tenements in Chinnayapuram costing ₹17.96 crore, the reconstruction of the Goubert market with an estimated expenditure of ₹36 crore, and the enhancement of the existing bus stand amounting to ₹15.75 crore, according to D. Manikandan, Chief Executive Officer of PSCDL.
The primary objective of this collaboration is to establish a robust mechanism for ensuring the quality and accuracy of construction. Given the high volume of visitors expected in most PSCDL projects, compromising on structural safety is not an option. The expert team from IIT-Madras will conduct periodic inspections to monitor the progress of the projects, offering recommendations whenever necessary to ensure strict adherence to quality parameters and construction norms, Manikandan added.
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Furthermore, PSCDL has extended its request to other line departments to engage third-party quality assurance for major projects falling under the Smart Cities Mission. The Public Works Department (PWD) is expected to initiate a tender process soon to select an agency responsible for conducting third-party inspections of significant endeavors, such as the construction of disabled-friendly pedestrian paths with a budget of ₹120 crore and the creation of an iconic cycle track costing ₹9.73 crore.
