BBMP prepares DPR for 18km-tunnel road project in just three months

A copy of the notification is available to indianexpress.com but the reason for the blacklisting remains unclear. Attempts to contact the DFCCIL for a clarification went unanswered.

While Rodic Consultants filed a petition in the Delhi High Court against the blacklist order, DFCCIL reversed the blacklist order in March 2023. Subsequently, Rodic Consultants withdrew its petition from the court.

In response to Indian Express on reasons for blacklisting, the firm said, “DFCCIL’s initial decision to blacklist Rodic Consultants lacked a substantiated basis. Subsequently, DFCCIL unilaterally decided to withdraw the blacklisting through its letter dated 21.03.2023. A final order issued on 28.03.2023 ruled in favour of Rodic, confirming that no active banning order existed against the company at the time the BBMP tender was published.”

However, according to BBMP’s consultancy eligibility criteria for the tunnel road project, “blacklisted consultants in government, quasi-government boards, or BBMP are not eligible to participate, and such tenders will be rejected.” BBMP did not respond to calls regarding the selection process of firms under such circumstances.

On the criticism of ‘hurried DPR preparation’, Rodic Consultants told Indian Express said, “The DPR was indeed required to be completed within three months as part of the contractual timeline set by the BBMP. To clarify, Rodic adhered fully to meeting every procedural and quality requirement stipulated.”

Questions About Past Performance

Not only has Rodic Consultants faced issues with DFCCIL, but the firm was also criticized for its work as the Project Monitoring Agency (PMA) on the Saubhagya Scheme in Jammu and Kashmir. The scheme aims to provide last-mile electricity connections to un-electrified rural households.

According to a court order from the Court of Special Judge Anti-Corruption Jammu, the consultants displayed a “detached and casual approach” in inspecting the project. The court observed that RodicConsultants failed to flag discrepancies or certify bills submitted by the executing agencies, which were then uploaded to the Public Financial Management System (PFMS) for payment without verification. This failure to ensure scrutiny and certification, the court noted, led to financial losses and instances of collusion and negligence in the scheme’s execution. However, the matter is still pending before the court and is under judicial review.

Calls for Transparency and Accountability

Bangalore Central MP and BJP leader PC Mohan criticized the DPR tendering process as “arbitrary” and “lacking transparency.” He argued that BBMP’s justification for awarding a Rs 9.45 crore contract to a single bidder “insults Bengaluru’s public.”

Mohan questioned the contract’s inflated cost and raised concerns about the project’s rapid escalation from an estimated Rs 8,000 crore in June 2024 to Rs 12,690 crore just two months later. Mohan said, “The BBMP’s justification for awarding a Rs 9.45 crore tunnel road DPR contract to a single bidder is a blatant insult to Bengaluru’s public. They claim the contract is below their estimate of Rs 15 crore, while conveniently ignoring that the tender document lists the project cost as Rs 8,000 crore, where 0.1 per cent would be Rs 8 crore — not the inflated Rs 9.45 crore that has been contracted.”

He added, “Even more alarming is the rapid escalation of the project’s estimated cost from Rs 8,000 crore in June 2024 to a staggering Rs 12,690 crore just two months later. Was this done to justify awarding the single tender? Why were KTPP guidelines ignored, and the Least Cost Based Selection (LCBS) method adopted instead of the Quality and Cost Based Selection (QCBS) method for such a complex project? How can this be justified? BBMP Chief Secretary has lost all sense of probity and accountability. A thorough investigation into its arbitrary tendering process is urgently needed. The public deserves nothing less than full transparency.”

Responding to the criticism, Rodic told Indian Express that, “It is important to note that BBMP’s selection of Rodic was part of an established process in which six firms were initially shortlisted, though only two chose to submit bids. This transparent selection process was rigorous and aligned with BBMP’s criteria for quality and feasibility.Rodic Consultants is committed to transparency, professional ethics, and accountable project execution. The Bengaluru Tunnel Road DPR, completed on time and to specification, exemplifies our dedication to public infrastructure.”

Meanwhile, BBMP officials did not respond to indianexpress.com on the blacklisted order and the consultant’s alleged botched up work in connection with Saubhagya scheme.

Urban mobility expert Satya Arikutharam criticized the Directorate of Urban Land Transport (DULT) for permitting a project that is not part of Bengaluru’s Comprehensive Mobility Plan. “BBMP has achieved a world record in tunnel road DPR preparation in three months. DULT, are you sleeping at the wheel? Is there a deficiency of regulatory competence and importantly professional values? How can the citizens be taken for a ride on a project idea that’s not even in the CMP?” he asked.

The 18-km underground vehicular tunnel project, part of the Brand Bengaluru initiative, connects the north-south corridor from Hebbal Esteem Mall Junction to Silk Board KSRP Junction. The project involves four connecting stretches with various entry and exit points. The DPR specifies that the consultant must conduct traffic and infrastructure surveys, as well as social and environmental impact assessments, to enhance safety, operational efficiency, and minimize local impacts.