The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) has decided to award the contract to re-audit 77 bridges in the city to the sole bidder though it quoted an amount around 40% more than the civic body’s estimates.

Price brought down

The BMC had invited tenders for the work in April, but received only one response from Structwel Designers for both tenders (Zone I and Zone II). The contractor had quoted a price which was 43% above the BMC’s estimates, but the BMC brought it down to 38% after negotiations.

An officer from the Bridges Department said, “This happened because the tender was based on our old schedule of rates and old estimates, as it is a re-invitation. We were expecting slightly high rates. We negotiated and brought them down.” The BMC has approved the allotment and a proposal will be tabled before the standing committee next month. Both proposals cost around ₹80 lakh.

Additional Municipal Commissioner Vijay Singhal said, “There was only one response. Considering the urgency of work, we had to proceed with that. Plus, we don’t want to compromise on quality.” The Bridges Department has asked the contractor to unofficially start work. The auditor has been asked to submit a report within three months.

Need for review

After the Himalaya Bridge collapse in March, the BMC had ordered a re-audit of all bridges that had been audited by Prof DD Desai’s Associated Engineering Consultants and Analysts Pvt. Ltd.