Tired with the obstinate approach of contractors, civic chief Ajoy Mehta has directed BMC officials to carry out desilting works on their own, if contractors do not agree to reduce their bids.
In a pre-monsoon meeting held at the BMC headquarters on Tuesday, the municipal commissioner, taking serious note of high-handed approach of contractors, asked civic officials not to depend upon them and be ready to carry out desilting works on their own.
The BMC had given desilting contracts for the period of two years – 2015-16 and 2016-17. But, due to corruption exposed in the desilting scam, the civic body revoked the contracts and invited tenders again. However, contractors bid 300 per cent higher than the base price, which forced the civic officials to scrap the entire process yet again.
According to civic officials, some of the major nullahs contractors have agreed to reduce their bids as per the BMC’s demand. However, minor nullahs contractors, all of which have bid 50 per cent more than the base price, have refused to negotiate.
