Contract ambiguity set to delay road project
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, May 20 2014 : Owing to certain controversies in the contract allotment process NLCPR funded project for widening and improvement of road from Khongman Mangjil to Khongman Okram Chuthek is likely to be delayed even though execution of the same work had started just recently.

According to an official source, the project was retailed to NLCPR in 2008-09 at the estimated cost of Rs 11,18,39,782 .

The project is for expansion and improvement of the roads running on the eastern and western banks of Khongman canal from Khongman Mangjil to Khongman Okram Chuthek.

Total length of the two roads is 4.8 Kms and they should be expanded up to the width of 6.25 metres.

Breadth of the road surface which should be black topped is 3.7 metres.

Other components of the project include three culverts of 2 metre span, four culverts of 4 metre span, road side drains and protection walls which should have its foundation on the bed of the canal.

After the project was sanctioned by the DoNER Ministry, e-tender was held to select contractor.

One firm that bid at lowest rate was duly selected but the firm cannot supply materials of good quality.

Subsequently a second tender was held on May 17 .

Even though four firms came at the re-tender, one did not participate as its documents were not complete.

The firms which took part in the re-tender were Md Nasir Shah, MM Construction and M/S N Jila and Sons.

The fourth firm which was disallowed was SN Pavei.

According to information received here, the re-tender was not done in the form of e-tender.

Moreover, no notice was issued for the re-tender.

It was suspected that the re-tender was done in connivance between some officials and a few contractors.

The PWD Chief Engineer maintained that whether it was e-tender or otherwise it can be confirmed by examining relevant documents.

In case it was not e-tender, the tender process would be rejected, said the Chief Engineer.

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