BMC trusts tainted contractors with building major bridges

Despite some contractors being found guilty in the road repair works scam and in spite of recent mishaps like the Kolkata flyover collapse in which 27 people were killed, the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) has allotted tainted contractors the task of building some of the major bridges in the city. The BMC has allotted contractors J Kumar Infrastructure and RPS Infrastructure the construction of four bridges including the historic Hancock Bridge. These contractors have quoted 30 to 50 per cent higher rates than the estimated price determined by the BMC.

In the road repair works, six contractors – including J Kumar Infrastructure and RPS Infrastructure -– have been found guilty and the BMC has also filed a criminal complaint against them. Civic chief Ajoy Mehta has also directed the civic officials to start the process of blacklisting these contractors.

Despite this, the BMC has allotted works of Yari Road and Hancock Bridge to J Kumar and has selected RPS Infrastructure for the construction of Mithi river and Vikhroli railway station bridge. The BMC will spend a whopping Rs 227 crore on these four projects.

The proposals will be tabled before the civic standing committee for approval on Wednesday. Shiv Sena, which is already reeling under allegations of corruption in civic development works, gave a cautious response. “We will first like to know the civic administration’s approach about these proposals and then decide our stand,” said standing committee chairman Pravin Chheda.