Indian Express 29.11.2010
Software for e-tenders not yet ready, road repair must wait at least 2 months
Express News Service Tags : corporation, road repair Posted: Mon Nov 29 2010, 06:17 hrs
Mumbai: The BMC recently sanctioned an additional Rs 500 crore for construction and repair of roads but work is not likely to begin for at least another couple of months, officials admitted, citing a technical holdup in the online process for tendering. Under criticism for poor quality of roadwork, especially during monsoon, and a reported nexus between officials and road contractors, the BMC had sought to introduce transparency in the tendering procedure by switching to e-tendering, besides increasing the annual roads budget from Rs 500 crore to Rs 1,000 crore.The software for e-tendering is, however, not fully operational yet, delaying all fresh projects to be undertaken after the monsoon. The issue was raised by members of the standing committee Friday. BJP corporator Bhalchandra Shirsat said road construction usually has to be wound up by May before the beginning of the monsoon, which leaves BMC six months. “If a couple of months are lost due to such administrative reasons, (the loss of) even this short time will severely affect the quality of work,” said Shirsat.
R Kulkarni, chief engineer (roads), said since this is the first time the BMC has introduced e-tendering, it will take time to develop it completely. “We want a foolproof software without loopholes and several trials have been conducted. We are trying to award contracts under phase one as soon as possible.” The BMC will float tenders phasewise for repair and maintenance. E-tenders worth Rs 500 crore for the first phase of repairs were to be floated by mid November.
