BMC to come up with uniform rules for road work tenders

Currently, there is no standard format for road tenders, which leaves scope for manipulation and a few contractors being favoured

With an inquiry report hinting at a nexus between civic officials and road contractors, civic chief Ajoy Mehta is likely to streamline the norms for road tenders.

After mayor Snehal Ambekar, in a letter last year, demanded an inquiry into road contracts, 34 roads across the island city, western and eastern suburbs were inspected (HT File)

Currently, there is no standard format for road tenders, which leaves scope for manipulation and a few contractors being favoured.

For example, tenders for construction of a retaining wall mention bizarre eligibility conditions such as allowing contractors with an experience in construction of retaining wall, instead of a RCC (reinforced concrete) structure. This limits the number of contractors sending their bids, thus favouring only a few.

“Many such unnecessary conditions have been added. We plan to do away with those by coming up with a standard format,” said a senior civic official, on condition of anonymity.

After mayor Snehal Ambekar, in a letter last year, demanded an inquiry into road contracts, 34 roads across the island city, western and eastern suburbs were inspected. The inquiry report was submitted to civic chief this week.

Fearing action against civic officials, as was seen after an inquiry into the desilting scam, some unions have written to the administration, stating they are keeping an eye on all road works and assuring quality work by contractors.

To promote transparency, quality and fair competition in road works contracts, Mehta had last year ordered that the road tendering process be made online.

The budget for road work, which is between Rs2,000 crore and Rs3,000 crore, is likely to be reduced considerably in the next budget.