Pune: The Standing Committee of the Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) on Monday decided to issue a fresh tender to appoint an agency to run the old and new Warje water treatment plants and the Khadakwasla raw water pumping station.
Earlier, the PMC had issued a tender valued at Rs 10.55 crore. However, it caused a controversy. Hence, the state urban development department (UDD) asked the civic body to check the price quoted by the contractor. However, the PMC informed the UDD that the contractor was disqualified as per the primary criteria for the tendering process. Hence, it conveyed to the State government that it would not be possible to reconsider the bid, due to technical reasons. Civic officials suggested that the civic body could float a fresh tender.
The PMC tender cell cited a list of technical reasons for not reconsidering the bid two weeks ago. The Standing Committee then questioned the civic administration’s decision. Hence, civic officials submitted a detailed report on the issue in the Standing Committee meeting on Monday. After going through the report, the committee decided to issue a fresh tender.
The new Warje water treatment plant processes 300 MLD. Required water is lifted from the Khadakwasla raw water pumping station. 10 MLD water is treated at the old water treatment plant. The civic body issued the tender for hiring an agency, as it has inadequate staff for the task.
Three contractors, including VA Tech Wabag, D-graymount and Shree Samarth Electricals had participated in the bidding process. However, Samarth Electricals was disqualified. Therefore, the firm had approached the state UDD.
After a hearing on its complaints, the UDD asked civic body to reconsider its bid or float a fresh tender. Hence, the civic body has decided to float a fresh bid, said Standing Committee Chairman Murlidhar Mohol.
