The BMC has put out fresh tenders for road repairs worth Rs 1,126 crore. Representation pic/Anurag Ahire

Speculations that the tenders will be scrapped began following the letters written to the BMC by Velrasu and Fadnavis had begun over the scrapping of tenders. The BMC then did scrap tenders worth almost Rs 1,100 crore. It put out fresh tenders for road repairs on Thursday in various newspapers worth Rs 1,126 crore. At least 29 roads in the city will be under repair, if all goes well before the end of this year.

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‘More quality assurance’

The tender conditions, however, include the 80:20 payment method where 80 per cent of the contract cost is paid phase wise till the completion of work and a payment of 20 per cent is released only after the DLP is completed. The officials said that this will bring in more quality assurance and also the contractors will be responsible even after the work is completed.

Before the pandemic hit the city, the BMC had plans for the controversial 60:40 formula for road works which was not yielding fruitful results and it was changed to the 80:20 payment method. However this was put on hold for the tenders issued during the pandemic as per the instructions of the government, to ensure that the businesses are not affected. But the BMC has brought back the payment method in the new road works that they have issued.

‘A good model’

Despite opposition, BMC officials said that it is a way to keep checks and balances and there are plans for implementing it across all the major infrastructure departments. Deputy Municipal Commissioner, Infrastructure R Talkar said, “It is a good model where the errant contractors will be kept in check and will also be responsible to ensure quality services after the completion of work and thus the authorities have taken the details from us to try the 80:20 model in other departments as well.”

29
No. of roads that could be  under repair this year