Maharashtra CM may review Rs 360-crore contract to firm

Chief minister Devendra Fadnavis could review the decision of the Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA) to award Rs 360-crore civil work contract for the Andheri east-Dahisar east Metro-7 corridor to J Kumar Infrastructure. The company is under the police scanner along with five other companies in connection with a scam involving road repair works for the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC).

The BMC’s inquiry report on the road scams had identified six contractors — RPS Infraprojects, KR Construction, J Kumar Infra, Relcon Infraprojects, RK Madhani and Mahavir Construction — for failing to meet the quality standard set by civic body. Hence, the BMC officials were directed to blacklist these contractors and a police complaint was also filed against these contractors for carrying out shoddy works.

Mr Fadnavis, who also happens to be the chairman of the MMRDA, said, “I will take information on the same from MMRDA officials and do whatever needs to be done.”

The executive committee of the MMRDA had last month approved contracts of three contractors for carrying out the civil construction of the 16.5-km Andheri East-Dahisar East Metro-7 corridor. J Kumar Infrastructure, one of the three whose contracts were approved, will design and construct metro stations of Aarey, Dindoshi, Pathanwadi, Pushpa Park, Bandongri and Mahindra & Mahindra at a cost of Rs 360.21 crore.

MMRDA sources said that several MMRDA officials had warned U.P.S. Madan, metropolitan commissioner of MMRDA not to appoint J Kumar as the contractor because of the controversy over the firm being involved in the road repair scam. Mr Madan was not available for comment on the issue.

A senior MMRDA official said, “The BMC too is in the process of blacklisting the contractors and we have appointed J Kumar last month, which means before the blacklisting. Also, what BMC does is not binding on us, as MMRDA has not found J Kumar guilty of anything.”

Apart from Metro-7 corridor, J Kumar was also recently awarded work for the ongoing work on the 1.6 km Bandra-Kurla Complex (BKC)-Eastern Express Highway elevated bridge. Another contractor, Relcon Infraprojects, against whom BMC has initiated action, was involved in the construction of the MMRDA’s new building where it was alleged that the work was delayed and the construction cost was escalated.