Contractors quote less than PMC estimate for cleaning sewer lines

PMC has approved 13 tenders worth ₹8.10 crore to clean sewage lines at regional ward offices, contractors quoted 35%-40% less than the estimated cost

Though the Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) has approved 13 tenders worth ₹8.10 crore to clean sewage lines at regional ward offices, contractors quoted 35%-40% less than the estimated cost.

If the contractors are quoting 35 to 40 per cent less than the estimated cost, it could either be that they will carry out poor work or take bills without doing any work on ground, say activists. (REPRESENTATIVE PHOTO)

The civic body standing committee’s approval of cleaning sewer lines at projected cost higher than contractors’ rates has raised eyebrows of administration and politicians.

Civic activist Vivek Velankar said, “Either the estimated cost is inflated or contractors would do substandard work. If the contractors are quoting 35 to 40 per cent less than the estimated cost, it could either be that they will carry out poor work or take bills without doing any work on ground.”

One of the senior politicians on condition of anonymity said, “Most of the drainage cleaning works done in wards are bogus. Most of the people given the contracts ate related to politicians. They do not carry out the project and pocket the bill. Even PMC officers do not inspect the work carried out on ground.”