Zebra-crossing proposal meets red light again

Independent corporator Riyaz Ahmed Wanoo had pointed out that it was a waste of funds as contractors do a shoddy job. Cheap chemicals diluted in the paint and last for less than a week, he claimed. Wanoo was backed by several members from the Congress and Shiv Sena-Bharatiya Janata Party. The corporators had demanded that fresh tenders be invited where contractors could paint and maintain the crossings.

The corporators had asked Additional Municipal Commissioner Subodh Kumar to guarantee that the paint would last, but said that he could not. The SC had rejected the proposal saying that it was necessary to find suppliers who can sustain the zebra-crossing.

The administration claimed that three tenders were received of which M/s Evercost Services quoted Rs 56 lakhs, M/s Ajanta Enterprises Rs 65 lakhs and M/s Rainbow Paints Rs 72 lakhs. Rainbow Paints had received the nod even though their offer was the highest as they were the only ones to conform to laboratory test I S 164 as specified by BMC. On August 5, 1999 the administration brought in the same proposal without any amendment or changes. It8217;s excuse for not calling in fresh tenders was that the procedure is 8220;time-consuming8221; and there was there was 8220;an urgency for painting the zebra-crossing in order to enhance the safety of pedestrians especially at night.8221;

National Congress Party president Subhash Mayekar said it was mischievous to reintroduce the 8220;same proposal without any changes.8221;

8220;If we have unanimously rejected the proposal once, by passing it again without changes, we will lose our confidence,8221; he added. Committee president Sada Sarvankar announced that the proposal was rejected and 8220;not taken.8221;