The mobile inspection system comes as a solution to widespread complaints about the poor quality of PWD works. Mobile labs, which are capable of on-site inspection of any construction and detecting the lack of specific standards have come into existence yesterday. Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan inaugurated three labs in Thiruvananthapuram. The mission of mobile labs is to test and ensure all aspects of construction, from the quality of water used in construction to the concrete and tar. If there is a complaint about any production, the current practice is to collect samples and take them to the lab for testing and quality assurance.

The new system will have arrangements to properly inspect the construction of buildings, bridges, and roads. The mobile testing vehicle will be manned by specially trained personnel under the supervision of the Design Chief Engineer. The van will also be equipped to transmit inspection reports to higher authorities in real-time. If the mobile lab vehicles purchased at a cost of Rs 2.75 crores run smoothly and the equipment in them is working properly, then surely many complaints faced by PWD will be resolved. The machines in the mobile labs of the Public works department can do good for a long time if they are not affected by the same disruptions the machinery in government hospitals goes through. It can also bring out many of the inherent falsities in PWD works.

It will be a good thing that regular testing systems at district centers continue to function along with the mobile labs. It is a land full of bridges, roads, and buildings that start crumbling not long after their inauguration. The main reason for this is the corruption behind the construction. There were bridges collapsing due to errors in construction during the construction phase itself. The Palarivattam Bridge in Ernakulam started collapsing less than two years after its inauguration. A subsequent inspection revealed that the contract company did not even comply with the essential safety standards required for the construction of a bridge. Officials who were supposed to check that the contractors were carrying out the construction work up to standards, were made to turn a blind eye through bribing. The public works department is witness to many incidents like this.

Corruption is the main reason for the poor quality of PWD works. Half of the contract amount gets divided among many people. In that case, any construction may not maintain even average quality. Who can insist on quality, when there are people who are eager to profit from whatever construction is going on, is all around? Therefore, one should really think about how to put an end to bribery related to PWD works. If this is successful, PWD works will naturally reach good standards. There will be no situation where anyone should be intimidated by citing the inspection report.