The Hindu 14.01.2010
BBMP finalises huge contracts overnight
Staff Reporter
Bangalore: The Bruhat Bangalore Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) is in the eye of the storm with the civic authority post-haste pre-qualifying contractors for a large number of infrastructure schemes totalling Rs. 3,400 crore two days before the model code of conduct for the February 21 BBMP polls comes into play.
The BBMP had floated tenders to upgrade and widen some 500 km of arterial and sub-arterial roads involving an expenditure of Rs. 2,300 crore apart from seven signal-free corridors for Rs. 1,100 crore. The financial and technical bids through e-tenders were scrutinised over the past two days and, late on Tuesday, the contractors’ list was also finalised.
Finger-pointing
The quick culmination of the pre-qualification process and the haste with which the 18 packages were finalised has resulted in fingers being pointed at the ruling party though it entails the Government’s final approval, which may take months.
The State Cabinet had given its administrative approval for the works about two months ago and the tenders were floated in December.
Protests staged
Even as the news spread on Wednesday of the BBMP top brass working overtime on Tuesday to finalise the eligible contractors, Congress leaders V.S. Ugrappa, Ramachandrappa and P.R. Ramesh staged a protest in front of the BBMP head office.
