BMC floats tenders for cleaning of Versova, Juhu beach

“Since the previous tender expired in June this year, the beaches are being cleaned using BMC labour. Therefore as a stop gap measure we have floated this tender to ensure by the time the mega contractor is finalised there is a temporary arrangement made to keep the beaches free from solid waste,” a civic official told The Indian Express.

In the previous contract, an agency was responsible for cleaning and maintaining the beach between 2018 and 2024.

After this contract expired in June, civic authorities invited a new tender. However, there was only one contractor who submitted a bid, following which the tender was withdrawn and another new contract was floated at a cost of Rs 130 crore.

“The rate at which the contractor proposed to work was above estimate, as a result we had to float a new contract to ensure there is competitive bidding. This tender is being finalised and is likely to be awarded within next one month,” said an official.

Ameet Satam, MLA from Andheri (west) who has remained instrumental in coordinating with civic authorities for maintaining the beaches told The Indian Express, “After the previous contract expired on June 2, the BMC had first asked the contractor to continue the work, however the contractor demanded to be paid 1.8% above the cost. Due to which the contract wasn’t renewed immediately and a new tender was floated.”

Zoru Bhathena, civic activist, told The Indian Express, “Basically, all the waste that accumulates in the beaches comes from the storm water drains in the vicinity of Juhu, Versova area. The civic authorities already have contractors for cleaning these drains and incidents like this clearly show that those contractors aren’t doing their job well.”

The Rs 61 lakh tender was floated on Wednesday, meanwhile the bidding of the mega Rs 130 crore tender for beach cleanup is underway and the new contractor is likely to be appointed by end of September. The appointed contractors are responsible for maintaining the cleanliness of the beaches by removing all the solid and floating waste that accumulate on the surface.