The Times of India 04.11.2009
Corpn denies Egmore Stn Rd works were carried out
CHENNAI: The Chennai Corporation has denied that any part of the road widening and footpath improvement works on Gandhi-Irwin Road was taken up before tenders were finalised, as reported by TOI on Tuesday.
Referring to a photograph that accompanied the TOI report, an official release said: "The picture shows portions of the footpath which are in good condition. This work is not being carried out by this tender. The estimate is for improvement of footpath; the widening work has not been carried out."
The Nungambakkam zonal office had floated tenders last week for works for 290 metres on Gandhi-Irwin Road in two parts one covering Whannels Road and Kennet Lane and the other Kennet Lane and Egmore MTC bus stop.
Even as the corporation maintains that no footpath laying work was done, a notice issued by the assistant executive engineer to the contractor, a copy of which is with TOI, instructed the contractor to stop the "ongoing footpath laying work beyond its assigned area," as a separate estimate was sanctioned. This notice was issued on October 20, two days prior to floating of fresh tenders.
However, the official release called the work done by the contractor as "extra work... (which) has no relavance to the existing tenders."
The corporation has estimated the cost of the work, including removal of a couple of trees and pillar boxes and widening of the road at Rs 9.03 lakh. As many as 15 contractors purchased the tender forms from Ripon Buildings after paying Rs 1,688 each. The contractors alleged that they were told by officials not to participate in the tendering process as the job has already been completed.
The corporation challenged the allegations. "The very fact that 15 tender forms were sold for two tenders means that there was no restriction on participation. Tenders can be put in the drop boxes kept at four places, including the vigilance officer's office. It is virtually impossible to prevent anyone from dropping forms. And no complaints were received," the statement said.
