Nagpur: A major controversy has erupted over MahaMetro tenders for Metro stations of Reach III (Sitabuldi to Lokmanya Nagar stretch) and Reach II (Sitabuldi to Automotive Square). While Jai Jawan Jai Kisan president Prashant Pawar has alleged a scam, MahaMetro managing director Brijesh Dixit has charged him with twisting facts.
Pawar told reporters on Wednesday that Comptroller and Auditor General of India (CAG) had raised several objections over award of Metro station tenders. “The total cost of ten stations of Reach III was estimated at Rs 445.75 crore. However, the work was awarded at Rs 237.88 crore and then increased to Rs 325.72 crore. This means the initial estimate was inflated,” he added.
Dixit said the initial cost of Rs 445.75 crore was calculated assuming the length of the platform for a six coach Metro at 140 metre. “We reduced the length to 70 metres and hence the cost reduced to Rs 325.72 crore,” he added.
According to Pawar, the cost of Zero Mile station was Rs 66.31 crore initially, which was increased to Rs 92.97 crore by MahaMetro. Dixit clarified the extra expenditure was because MahaMetro included parking and commercial space in the work along with the station.
Jai Jawan Jai Kisan had alleged that Reach III contractor ITD Cementation India Ltd (ITDC) had been awarded the work of Zero Mile and other Reach II stations without a tender. Dixit said only the money saved in Reach III was used for constructing some stations of Reach II. “Tender for construction of most of the stations in Reach II is yet to be floated as National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) had not approved the double decker flyover,” he added.
Pawar claimed the cost of Reach II stations had been increased from Rs 191.54 crore to Rs 242.31 crore. MahaMetro has not commented on this. The activist charged that MahaMetro had awarded the tenders without informing the German lending agency KfW. Dixit maintained all permissions from KfW had been obtained.
As for CAG objections, Dixit said replies had been sent to the agency. “Audit is an ongoing process and their officials visit our offices every three to four months and raise queries, which we have satisfactorily answered so far,” he told the media.
Pawar, however, alleged this was a scam and has decided to file a complaint with Central Vigilance Commission (CVC) and Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) against Dixit and other senior officials.
Pawar told reporters on Wednesday that Comptroller and Auditor General of India (CAG) had raised several objections over award of Metro station tenders. “The total cost of ten stations of Reach III was estimated at Rs 445.75 crore. However, the work was awarded at Rs 237.88 crore and then increased to Rs 325.72 crore. This means the initial estimate was inflated,” he added.
Dixit said the initial cost of Rs 445.75 crore was calculated assuming the length of the platform for a six coach Metro at 140 metre. “We reduced the length to 70 metres and hence the cost reduced to Rs 325.72 crore,” he added.
According to Pawar, the cost of Zero Mile station was Rs 66.31 crore initially, which was increased to Rs 92.97 crore by MahaMetro. Dixit clarified the extra expenditure was because MahaMetro included parking and commercial space in the work along with the station.
Jai Jawan Jai Kisan had alleged that Reach III contractor ITD Cementation India Ltd (ITDC) had been awarded the work of Zero Mile and other Reach II stations without a tender. Dixit said only the money saved in Reach III was used for constructing some stations of Reach II. “Tender for construction of most of the stations in Reach II is yet to be floated as National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) had not approved the double decker flyover,” he added.
Pawar claimed the cost of Reach II stations had been increased from Rs 191.54 crore to Rs 242.31 crore. MahaMetro has not commented on this. The activist charged that MahaMetro had awarded the tenders without informing the German lending agency KfW. Dixit maintained all permissions from KfW had been obtained.
As for CAG objections, Dixit said replies had been sent to the agency. “Audit is an ongoing process and their officials visit our offices every three to four months and raise queries, which we have satisfactorily answered so far,” he told the media.
Pawar, however, alleged this was a scam and has decided to file a complaint with Central Vigilance Commission (CVC) and Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) against Dixit and other senior officials.
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