BMC may blacklist pvt firm

According to Satam, B&P was trying to `blackmail’ the BMC. The council realised this when they were finalising the tender for the construction of aerated lagoons at Bhandup and Ghatkopar for sewage disposal. The B&P had recommended that the BMC award the contract to the firm Hubert PV, although this firm had not fulfilled all the tender specifications.

Satam also alleged that Hubert PV had provided false information to the BMC. Municipal Commissioner Girish Gokhale said the company had claimed that it had, in thepast, worked on projects similar to the one at Ghatkopar in other countries as well, but investigations revealed that the firm had done no such work.

Council members and civic officials also reportedly found out that Hubert P V had quoted Rs eight lakh for providing aerators, which cost Rs 24 lakh in 1994. They, however, later said the aerators provided would be of a smaller capacity. The World Bank was also questioned on why Hubert P V should be awarded the contract.

When the funding body failed to specify a reason, the council decided to award the contract of building the lagoons to another company.

The contract has now gone to Gammon India Limited, the second lowest bidder at Rs 26.61 crore. Satam said Hubert P V had quoted Rs 13.91 crore even as the BMC estimate for the work stood at Rs 18.66 crore. Gokhale added that the company had also not sent its audit report to the BMC despite repeated reminders.

This is the second time the BMC has had a run-in with the B&P. Last year, when the B&P wasasked to supervise the construction of the lining of a Bandra tunnel for the sewerage project, its suggestions to undo damage to the lining were reportedly very expensive, said the Mayor, although the same work could be carried out at half the cost. The BMC later instituted an enquiry into the matter which is pending.