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“Jal Board flouted norms to award sewer work”

NEW DELHI: Senior Bharatiya Janata Party leader and Saket MLA Vijay Jolly has accused the Delhi Jal Board of flouting norms and awarding sewer rehabilitation work to two companies that had allegedly formed a cartel.

Addressing the media over the weekend, Mr. Jolly said sewer rehabilitation works worth about Rs.20 crore had been awarded in violation of the prescribed procedure.

“Only two companies participated in the tender process for the rehabilitation of the two major sewer lines, the Naraina sewer line and the Patel Road line. In connivance with some Delhi Jal Board officers, these two firms joined hands and formed a cartel to clinch the sewer awards. This is a clear case of flouting rules,” Mr. Jolly said.

One of the companies, he said, had offered the rate contract of Rs.9,58,92,500 for rehabilitation of the Naraina sewer line from Naraina to Raja Garden.

The negotiated cost of Rs.8,76,50,450 for this work was finally approved, for this tender the only other bidder was the second company which had deliberately quoted a higher price, he said.

Demanding a CBI inquiry, Mr. Jolly said in the case of rehabilitation of the Patel Road peripheral sewer from Patel Nagar to Moti Nagar, the second company was “awarded the negotiated tender cost of Rs.11.20 crore against the offered rate of Rs.12.13 crores. Here the only other firm was the first company, which again had quoted a higher price, he said.

“According to the Board, these sewer lines are defunct, yet instead of replacing them, only rehabilitation work is being awarded,” the MLA added.

Reacting to the allegations, senior Jal Board officials said: “Both the companies are international firms and there is no question of any cartels being formed.”

Officials pointed out that replacing the defunct sewer lines was not possible because of space and other logistical constraints.

“We carry out on-site rehabilitation. The defunct sewers are cleaned, a lining is put inside, which is so strong that even if the pipes get damaged from outside, the lining is capable of preventing a spill-over.”

“The works were awarded to the two companies after their tenders were run through by the technical committee and the works advisory committee, which has members from outside the Delhi Jal Board as well,” said a senior Board official.

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