PMC water project put off further

Speaking to newspersons here today, municipal commissioner Rajiv Agarwal said that representatives of five companies, except for the Korean company Hyundai, called on him this afternoon. “Four competing companies unanimously demanded that the deadline for submission of the project bids be extended by another two months”, Agarwal said. He, however, said the companies were not buying time following the United States (US) sanctions against India in the wake of the nuclear tests.

“Funds can be raised through other sources. We have already kept several options open. Even the banks in Pune city are ready to issue a loan of Rs 100 crore for the project.”, Agarwal said.

The civic chief pointed out to media persons that the companies were required to furnish their bids in two parts – the technical bid and the financial bid.

“The companies will be required to undertake a survey of the existing water system in the city and it will take some time. The civic administration had considered this point while setting the deadline of three months. But, if a majority of the bidders are demanding an extension of the deadline, then the PMC may consider it”, he said. The civic chief said he would consult the water department officials and project consultants in this regard. The decision would be taken within a week, he said.

Interestingly, the PMC has already communicated to the State Government that it would embark on the project on October 15, this year. If the deadline for submission of the bids is extended till September end, as demanded by the companies, then the project is unlikely to start on October 15.

This so because the PMC administration would require at least one and half month to scrutinise the bids, select the company and seek an approval from the civic standing committee and the general body meeting. Agarwal said “In that case we would request the government to extend the time limit for commencing the project.”