‘Don’t refuse to hire tainted contractors’

MUMBAI: Contractors will be appointed for the execution of flyovers on Santacruz-Chembur Link Road (SCLR) and the Chheda Nagar remodelling project after the Advocate

MUMBAI: Contractors will be appointed for the execution of flyovers on Santacruz-Chembur Link Road (SCLR) and the Chheda Nagar remodelling project after the Advocate General (AG) reacted positively to the appointment of contractors who were embroiled in controversy after their names cropped up in the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation’s (BMC) road scam.

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Three months ago, the Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA) had put the appointments on hold fearing negative repercussions if the tainted contractors were given contractors and the matter was probed.

It approached the AG, seeking its opinion. The AG is said to have told the MMRDA that the tainted contractors cannot be refused contracts just because they are being blacklisted by the BMC for malpractices in road works.

The BMC filed an FIR against contractors — KR Construction, J Kumar, RPS Infraprojects, RK Madhani, Mahavir Infraprojects and Relcon Infraprojects — and a few of them were shortlisted for the MMRDA projects, including metro lines. The AG’s opinion was not sought for the metro line works awarded to J Kumar.

The MMRDA has now sent notices to these contractors asking why they should be given contracts. MMRDA commissioner UPS Madan said the body will study the responses of the contractors in accordance with the AG’s opinion and set guidelines before awarding contracts.

In July, the MMRDA’s engineering department withheld the tendering process for the construction of 3.5km SCLR flyover as the shortlisted bidders include J Kumar.

Similarly, Relcon Infraprojects was reportedly shortlisted for the remodelling project.