The Times of India             25.01.2014

SMC blacklists BRTS contractor

SURAT: Despite repeated pleas and requests for 1.5 years, an agency that filed to fulfill its contractual obligation of providing Integrated Transit management System (ITMS) for Bus Rapid Transport System (BRTS) of Surat Municipal Corporation (SMC) was black-listed by civic body's standing committee. It has also awarded the work to another agency while taking the decision.

BRTS project of the city is delayed by more than 18 months and SMC had given contract of providing ITMS to an agency named Vyom agency that has a joint venture with a Spanish company in September 2012. The cost of the project was Rs 56.19 crore and they were to give pilot demonstration in 2013.

"Our officers write repeated letters to them and asked them to provide pilot demonstration but they have been unable to do it. In such case we are left with no alternative but to black list the agency, seize their deposit amount and appoint another agency," said Rajesh Desai, Chairman Standing committee.

SMC is starting trial run on one segment of BRTS at Udhna Darwaja to Unn from January, 26, 2014. The ITMS systems will now be operated and managed by experienced Government agency known as Core solutions and trial run of BRTS would begin on republic day as announced.