PANAJI
Stating that contractors often quote 20-30 percent less than the bid price in many projects, which is common, PWD Minister Nilesh Cabral assured on Friday that the quality of work would not be compromised by the contractor.
Rajasthan-based Rajendra Singh Bhamboo Infra Private Limited (RSBIPL) won the Porvorim elevated flyover bid at Rs 364 crore, which is 30 per cent less than the limit set in the tender. The tender, which was floated in June by the Union Ministry for Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH), stated that the work would be worth Rs 474.6 crore and must be completed in two years.
“It is not something new until we see that the contractor doesn’t compromise on the quality of the work. As per PWD Tender Manual, we have said that the bidder cannot go more than 20 percent less than the limit set in the tender, but in the case of MoRTH, there is no such limit. So the bidder can quote as low as they want,” Cabral said.
He said that it is an EPC (engineering, procurement, and construction) tender. The contractor has to complete the work within two years and thereafter has to maintain it for 10 years.
Cabral informed that the difference between the lowest and highest bids is Rs 135 crore.
He said a total of 16 companies had qualified for financial bids for the project. “I have found out from my sources about the company...the company looks genuine and they have completed the work within the time,” he said.
“Once the selected company makes the security deposit and completes other formalities, the work order will be issued by MoRTH,” the minister said, adding, “We will guide the contractor about our requirements and specifications.”
