PCMC: Allotting tenders to ‘unqualified’ contractors raises eyebrows, concerns raised on work over Rs 90 crores

The Pimpri Chinchwad Municipal Corporation (PCMC) is in the news for all the wrong reasons again. This time objections are being raised specifically about allotting tenders to unqualified contractors regarding 9 road projects estimated to be around Rs 90 crores. 

As per information, the tender for the work of nine roads in the city worth Rs 90 crores was released before the code of conduct for the Lok Sabha elections came into effect. In the tendering process for this work, it is alleged that some contractors were awarded the tenders even though they did not fulfil the conditions while those that met the conditions were disqualified.

At present, due to alleged collusion between officials, ruling party officials and contractors under the administrative regime of the municipal corporation, a large number of road development works have started to be delayed. 

Taking note of the issue, the PCMC’s construction department has started inspecting the issue. Letters were sent to banks enquiring about the documents and the annual turnover of the construction company.  A thorough examination will be done of these documents including experience certificates of the contractor’s organizations. The contractor companies that qualified by providing fictitious documents have become alarmed as a result.

Also, numerous complaints have been filed regarding road construction, citing mistakes in the tenders and allegedly fabricated work evidence. Certain contractors have no work history or qualifications, and some have forged documents attached with no hard proof of ownership. Some contractors have demanded the work bill form and the 26A bank statement has not been looked into, the road ring case needs to be looked into and the tender should be cancelled. Some contractors have demanded PCMC Commissioner Shekhar Singh that criminal charges be brought against consultants, contractors who submit fictitious documents, and the officers who inspect them if there is collusion. 

Additionally, it is alleged that unqualified contractors who have been disqualified on minor grounds are doing road work for municipalities. These contractors are probably qualified by fraudulent documentation, but they lack training and qualifications. This casts doubt on whether these works will be completed. The situation has been made public by several contractors’ letters to the commissioner. The mandate for qualified contractors should end, and their paperwork, the terms of the tender, and their work experience certifications should all be reviewed again, they have demanded.

The verification of numerous documents, such as objections raised on road development work, errors discovered, bank records of the contractor company, work experience certificate, etc., is ongoing, according to Makarand Nikam, City Engineer of Pimpri-Chinchwad Municipality. Bank document verification is taking longer. Experience references from various jobs are also being examined. As a result, those found guilty in the Rs. 90 crore road development project will face just punishment. 

Allegations include: 

• DP from Mukai Chowk to Shinde Petrol Pump in Ward 26. Road, Rs.11 Crore 68 Lakh
• Bopdev Mandir Kiwale Village Main Road to Express Highway, Symbiosis College Past 18-metres D.P. Road development, Rs.15 crore 65 lakhs.
• Development of Vikas Nagar main road and other roads of Rawet by asphalting, Rs.15 crore 62 lakhs.
• 18 m D.P. in Rawet, Kiwale. Development of roads and remaining other roads, Rs.22 crore 90 lakhs.
• Development of a 12-metre road adjacent to the express highway from Mukai Chowk Krishna Hotel to Lodha Scheme, Rs.23 crore 90 lakhs.

It is worthy to note that the ruling party’s MLAs and MPs have controlled the municipal corporation for the past two years while it has been governed administratively. It is alleged that development projects were mishandled under the BJP and this is still the case.