Contractors’ habit of cutting the corners put them in dock as Nagpur Municipal Corporation (NMC) authorities invoked their powers to impose fine of Rs one crore for violation of tender condition. Municipal Commissioner and Administrator Dr Abhijeet Chaudhari hauled up the erring contractors who were ignoring directives of officials of the Public Health Engineering Department (PHED) to level the road to original status prior to laying of new pipelines. Through the action, NMC officials signalled their intention of ensuring that contractors do not violate the tender conditions. These firms, as per the civic officials, failed to adhere to contract condition and did not level the roads after laying the new sewage pipeline.

 

The firms are M/s Laxmi Civil Engineering Services Limited, M/s Kalthia Engineering and Construction Infrastructure Pvt. Ltd., and M/s P Das Infrastructure Pvt. Ltd. Under the Amrut 2.0 scheme funded by Central Government, NMC has taken up laying of new trunk lines. Work is being carried out in North and South Sewerage Zones respectively. The tender conditions had clearly mentioned that after laying the pipelines, the contractors would have to level the road to the existing condition. For laying the pipeline, the roads were dug up at many places and after filling the pits, the road was to be tarred. But, to avoid the extra expenditure, the contractors tried to cut corners and just used the roller to harden the ground and avoid using tar to make it motorable.

 

The three companies had bagged contract for laying 537 km of new trunk lines. They have laid 125 km of trunk line so far. During the month of February, PHED surveyed the area where the work was completed and found the road was not relaid. The officials on the field gave several reminders to the contractor’s supervisor, asking them to adhere to guidelines. But, the contractor failed to take corrective action, and Commissioner himself had warned of stringent action during a meeting held on May 27. Left with no option as contractors were not responding, a staggering Rs 1 crore fine was imposed.