The Times of India          02.12.2013

Civic body floats bid worth Rs 265 crore for roads works

NASHIK: Following the cancellation of the tender worth Rs 330 crore for ring roads and other major roads through deferred payment, the civic administration has now floated two fresh bids totally worth Rs 265 crore to carry out the work in view of the forthcoming Kumbh mela.

A civic official told TOI: "We have less than two years time before the commencement of the Kumbh on July 14, 2015. Hence, we are focusing on those works which will require more time. The last date of filing the bid is December 16. Last month, the apex committee of the state government had approved a Kumbh plan of Rs 2,378.71 crore for the district, including Rs 1,052.61 crore for the NMC. But we have not received a single rupee even a month after the committee meeting. But we are trying to complete the tender process and start the works at the earliest.

The official added, "Earlier, we had invited bid worth Rs 330 crore, but we cancelled it after opposition from the civic members. In September, we had floated tenders for Rs 200-crore works - Rs 150 crore for major road works and Rs 50 crore for water management. The tender is in the process of finalization and the works will begin shortly."

Speaking to TOI about cancellation of the earlier tender, another NMC official said, "It was decided to invite only those construction companies having experience of developing single road works of over Rs 100 crore so that quality works could be carried out at competitive rates. Around 12 agencies had filed bids for the works, of which, eight companies had been pre-qualified. However, since the opposition parties moved the high court against the decision, last week it was decided to cancel the tender, considering that the matter was subjudice and it would delay the works."

When contacted, municipal commissioner Sanjay Khandare, however, said: "We have cancelled the deferred payment tender as we did not receive good response to the bid."

Leader of the opposition Sudhakar Badgujar said, "The civic administration had presented a proposal of Rs 414 crore for 11 road works but the general body passed a resolution to float a tender worth Rs 250 crore only. Nevertheless, the administration floated a tender worth Rs 330 crore through deferred payment. Moreover, acquisition of about 30 to 40% of the land for the roads is yet to be completed. In such a situation, how will the administration develop the roads? Hence, we approached the high court on October 28, seeking a stay on the tender process. The court admitted our petition."

Proposed road works:

Outer ring roads

Inner ring roads

New bridges over the Godavari river