Maha altered tender norms for Metro Rail Bhavan project: Cong

The Congress in Maharashtra on Monday alleged that the BJP-led government has altered the guidelines of the Central Vigilance Commission (CVC) for the tender procedure for the construction of Metro Rail Bhavan in Aarey at the behest of builders.

Aarey or the Aarey Milk Colony is known as Mumbai's biggest green lung situated close to suburban Goregaon.

Speaking to reporters, state Congress general secretary Sachin Sawant said several changes were made in rules through the "corrigenda" for the project worth thousands of crores of rupees.

"Instead of implementing the project as per the Central Vigilance Commission guidelines, several changes were made in the rules by issuing a number of corrigenda to suit certain builders. It is a complete violation of the tender procedure as well as deviation from the government's promise of transparent administration," he alleged.

The Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA) had floated tenders for the construction of the Metro Rail Bhavan which will serve as an operation cum control centre for the Mumbai Metro.

MMRDA is the nodal agency for all metro rail projects in Mumbai, including the construction of the Metro Rail Bhavan.

"One of the changes introduced in the tender procedure by the state government is altering the original two per cent of the contract value towards security to 10 per cent. The condition for earnest money deposit was also changed to Rs 9.13 crore from Rs 5 crore. All the changes were introduced through corrigenda," Sawant alleged.

He said the state government should have floated fresh tenders instead.

"However, it seems the government has ulterior motives in changing rules. It wants to favour certain contractors instead of following a proper laid down procedure. The names of the beneficiary contractors will be disclosed soon," he said.