Oppn. councillors allege foul play in road work contract

By Saptharshi Bhattacharya

CHENNAI, JUNE 17. The CPT Road near the TIDEL Park in Taramani is all set to get a facelift in view of the proposed visit of the Prime Minister for the inauguration of the Park, but the tendering process for the work is not free from controversy.

The dispute revolved around the award of work to a contractor who quoted 13 per cent below the estimated amount. The opposition councillors alleged foul play by the ruling party members in awarding the contract.

The total cost of the work to lay the CPT Road from Sardar Patel Road intersection to 100 ft. Road by a mechanical paver finisher was estimated at Rs. 52.61 lakhs and the work was divided into three stretches. For one of the portions, three parties submitted quotations while for the other two, single tenders were received from the same contractor who also bid for the first. All the three works were awarded to him on a uniform rate of 13 per cent below the estimate.

The opposition leader, Mr. P. Vetrivel, alleged that the ruling party members had ``physically prevented'' others from submitting tenders.

``For the first time in about 20 years, such low quotations have been received for road works,'' he said, adding that there was a fair chance that the quality of work would be sub-standard.

After the closure of tenders on May 12, the file came up before the Works Committee which met on Saturday. The opposition councillors questioned the validity of the award of contract to a single bidder. They also said road works on the same stretch was taken up in 1998 and that it required only patch work now.

However, the resolution to the effect was passed amid protests by the opposition on condition that the contractor deposited 50 per cent of the quoted amount as security money.

The Corporation authorities, however, ruled out foul play stating that the rates quoted for the works were ``reasonable''. There were no complaints received that any party was prevented from submitting tenders, they said. ``The onus is on the supervising engineers to see that the quality of work is maintained as per standards.''

Talking to TheHindu, Mr. A. K. Jagadeesan, Chairman, Standing Committee on Works, clarified that the Government, through a recent G.O., had permitted award of contracts to single bidders provided the rates were reasonable and the procedure followed was transparent.

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Section  : Southern States
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