As there were no ‘qualified’ bidders to carry out the project, the DTCP is gearing up to float a tender once again for private players to prepare a master plan by conducting Geographic Information System (GIS) in the chosen 32 towns and cities across the state. 

The scheme aims to provide basic services like water supply, sewerage and urban transport to households and build amenities in selected cities, besides improving the quality of life of the poor and disadvantaged in urban areas. DTCP sources said the Centre handed over the project to the state government in 2015. Out of 32 selected towns, the officials chose 17 for the first phase. Centre would provide Rs 75 lakh to prepare master plans for each city. 

“After the Centre selected eligible cities and towns under AMRUT, we were earlier instructed to float tenders and start the project as fast as possible. We received good response from a lot of consulting agencies,” said an official, speaking on conditions of anonymity. However, he added, there were no eligible consultancies.  Thee DTCP recently selected a consulting agency, which has been given a package (consisting four districts). It would cover southern districts like Ramanathapuram, Tirunelveli, Thoothukudi and Nagercoil under this project,  he added.