The Karol Bagh zone office of the MCD was taken aback when the resident welfare association of Rajinder Nagar filed an RTI application, asking them to provide a sample of the material used to construct the road opposite Salwan Public School.
‘‘This stretch was constructed in February this year and had developed potholes by March. The residents came to us with the problem and we filed an RTI application this April,’’ said S P Gupta, President of RWA, Old Rajinder Nagar.
The application was filed on April 16 but no response was received even after 30 days from the MCD. Gupta then filed an appeal with the Public Grievance Commission (PGC) on June 10. On August 9, the PGC issued orders to the MCD to provide details and estimates of the road to the RWA alongwith samples of the road material by August 26.
The MCD, however, contested the order, saying they could not give sample material as that was under the purview of the quality control department. The PGC then extended the date of submission of the sample to September 2.
‘‘The delay in responding to the RTI application was only because this is the first time we came across such a thing and did not know how to go about it. Though there is inter-departmental inspection of road quality, we had to seek legal advice before giving the RWA a sample piece,’’ said a senior MCD official of the zone at the site today.
The RWA was today given one sample piece for testing in any private laboratory while MCD will be testing another sample from the same road at its own laboratory. The results of the quality tests — which will check the ratio of cement, sand and coarse aggregate — will be available in 10 days and that will decide the RWA’s course of action.
‘‘Many influential persons have asked me to withdraw the application but I am determined to go the whole way. It’s not really about the road but about how public money is being spent, and if we don’t ask, who will?’’ said Gupta.
Gupta has also filed RTI applications on encroachment of footpaths, damage because of road-cutting, details of the staff employed for maintenance of parks and status of MCD work order.
many questions
All it takes is a few minutes this Sunday
Have you changed your life? You can begin by asking questions about that potholed road in your colony or the overflowing garbage dump or the foul-smelling water on your tap? The Right to Information Act empowers you.
The Indian Express and Parivartan will be jointly organising camps across the city to bring RTI to your doorstep. The first camp for South Delhi will be held on September 5 at the Community Hall in Sector A, Pocket C, Vasant Kunj.
If you have a problem, come between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. and get all the help you need to tell them you know.