The standing committee of the Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) on Thursday approved a proposal to appoint a consultant for initiating environmental clearance of the Paud Phata-Balbharati road. This decision has drawn strong opposition from green activists.
Allegations of Cost Inflation
This marks the PMC's second attempt to raise tenders for the project. Activists have alleged that the cost was inflated by Rs 1 crore and have demanded an investigation. Vijay Kumbhar of the citizens group Surajya Sangharsh Samiti stated that the first tender received no response, leading to a second tender. In the second round, the lowest bid was Rs 34.7 lakh, but the proposal presented to the standing committee projected the cost at Rs 1.5 crore.
"The cost of the same work was inflated nearly four-fold. The official records offer no clear justification or basis for such a massive increase," Kumbhar added.
Activists Call for Fresh Tenders
Sushama Date of Vetal Tekdi Bachav Kruti Samiti expressed surprise that the PMC decided to award four times the bid amount to the same consultant. "It is incumbent on PMC to float a new tender and invite fresh bids, if the terms of reference and scope of work have changed for the consultant and the tender amount has increased so drastically," she said.
Date also highlighted that the Supreme Court has recognized the ecological importance of Vetal Tekdi and mandated environmental clearance for the project. "It is shocking that PMC has not realized this in its desperate hurry to build the road," she added.
PMC's Justification
PMC officials defended the decision, stating that the work will be conducted in four phases, which explains the increased tender amount. Shrinath Bhimale, Chairman of the standing committee, said the proposal was approved considering the urgency of the study and the Supreme Court directives.
"We want the road to be completed at the earliest. The civic administration cross-verified the rates and other factors before sending the proposal to us. There is nothing objectionable," he said.
Officials further explained that a petition was filed in the apex court regarding the 30-metre-wide development plan road from Balbharti to Paud Phata. The court issued an order necessitating an environmental clearance certificate for the project.
The proposal stated: "An experienced consultant who has previously been engaged by the Government of Maharashtra or the Government of India for obtaining environmental clearance for road projects must be appointed immediately to complete the assigned work within the stipulated deadline."
