Part 3–The Mithi River Development and Pollution Control Project: A Tale of Escalating Costs and Questionable Decisions!
It seems that even after the diktat from the very top for implementation for transparency and good governance, some officers still seem to be reluctant to obey. As we can see in the case of redevelopment of Mithi project, Mr Gupta based on his proximity to one officer has gone to town already claiming that a consortium which includes his company Akshay construction along with Ashoka Buildcon has won the project. The submission is just a mere formality to hoodwink the people. He is arrogantly proclaiming that the current extension of time has been given to ensure that supporting bidders get time to get their own bids ready. I wonder where this arrogance comes from, especially for a company who has not done any project of this magnitude. Does this arrogance stems from his own admission that a substantial commitment has already been made before the election or this comes from his proximity to the officer who has assured him the project under any circumstances?
Now, the claim can be absurd also but the way the officer and the department is going all out to ensure Mr Gupta’s words come true is quite astonishing. Like for example, the said criteria …
“Eligible Projects Experience in relation to “Eligible Projects” either fully completed or substantially completed after January 01, 2016, in India (In case of ongoing works to be considered, the bidder must have received payment of the 80% of the Contract sum for the work(s) executed last day of the month previous to the one in which bids are invited)”
The above clause seems to have been purposely put to deter international companies from participation. If MCGM was truly interested in getting capable Companies to bid then they should have replaced the word India with International.
I am sure such redevelopment projects of such scale have been constructed more abroad as compared to India. The magnitude of such a project should in fact ask for Global bids and encourage international companies to bid with their cutting edge technology as also the fact that when one Eligible Project with minimum value of INR 1436 Crore is asked for eligibility why the need to allow substantially completed ongoing works with 80% payment done. Hmmm, let me guess which company is the one who has substantially completed ongoing works and their 80% payment is also done.
Also there are more specific clauses pertaining to machinery in which tie ups are made mandatory. Unfortunately there seems to be a war waging between this machinery companies I will in the coming weeks put up the list of companies who have tried and been denied such tie-ups to further reinforce my claims that wrongful patronage has been granted and claims made by Mr Gupta of bagging the project is not just hot air. There is definitely more to it than it meets the eye.
I feel that Honourable Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis should intervene and allow foreign companies to bid as it will convey a strong message that we are not scared of global competition apart from the fact that having competition from capable companies will enhance the quality of work and also save cost to the MCGM.
It’s high time the monopoly of the high and the mighty need to be shown its place and this loot of public exchequer to fill the coffers of few be immediately stopped.
Vikrant Meena Hemant Joshi.
