CITING DIFFICULTY in execution, Project Implementation Unit (PIU) officials have urged the ADB to break the mammoth Rs 250 crore D1 component of Narmada-III into smaller, more manageable portions.
The DI component lumps together the entire process of ferrying water from the intake well at Jalud (Maheshwar) to the Control Room in the City. This includes laying of rising, pumping gravity and feeder mains, as well as construction of pump houses and treatment plants.
During a recent visit by Asian Development Bank (ADB) Project Analyst S Dasgupta and Project Implementation Officer A Shrivastava to review progress of Narmada-III, the PIU is learnt to have suggested hiving off the chunky D1 into more modest-sized contracts ranging from Rs 20 to Rs 90 crore.
At the moment there are only five contractors pre-qualified to carry out the Rs 250 crore project. Breaking it down into segments would substantially increase the number of eligible contractors and the work could then be carried out by inviting open tenders.
The ADB team is said to have agreed, in principle, to the proposal for inviting open tenders for the feeder mains - the lines that will supply water from the control room to various overhead tanks proposed to be built in various parts of the City.
A final decision will, however, be made only after the officials obtain consent of ADB bosses in Delhi. The ADB is bankrolling phase III of the Narmada as part of its Rs 641.25 crore Urban Water Supply and Environment Improvement Project (USWEIP).
A final decision will, however, be made only after the officials obtain consent of ADB bosses in Delhi. The ADB is bankrolling phase III of the Narmada as part of its Rs 641.25 crore Urban Water Supply and Environment Improvement Project (USWEIP).