Pune: In a major decision aimed at curbing corruption in asphalt procurement, the Pune Municipal Corporation has decided to end the practice of purchasing asphalt through contractors and will now directly buy it from asphalt manufacturing companies. Pune Municipal Commissioner Dr. Rajendra Bhosale shared this information with the media and also confirmed that an inquiry has been initiated into the allegations of fraud related to the procurement process. A report on this investigation will be submitted in the coming days.

Previously, the Municipal Corporation was buying asphalt through contractors, which led to a loss of around ₹4,000 to ₹5,000 per ton, as contractors were marking up the prices. Former General Body Leader Nilesh Nikam had accused the Municipal Corporation of a multi-crore asphalt scam, providing documents to the Municipal Commissioner to support his claims.

Dr. Bhosale confirmed that the tender for asphalt procurement through contractors has now been canceled, and future purchases will be made directly from companies. This move aims to streamline procurement and ensure better pricing.

In a shocking revelation, it was found that the contractor who supplied asphalt had been buying the material on one currency note and selling it to both the Municipal Corporation and the Public Works Department. This raised concerns about corruption in the procurement process. Previously, the Municipal Corporation had directly purchased asphalt from petroleum companies, but the practice was discontinued by the then Municipal Commissioner Vikram Kumar, who shifted to purchasing through contractors.

An investigation into the alleged malpractice in asphalt procurement is currently underway, led by the head of the Road Department, Aniruddha Pawaskar. Dr. Bhosale also confirmed that the contractor’s tender had been canceled, and the inquiry would clarify the situation further.

Additionally, Pawaskar mentioned that the direct purchase of asphalt from companies would entail transportation costs for the Municipal Corporation, but the aim is to save costs in the long run. He also stated that the total cost of one ton of asphalt, including transportation, would be approximately ₹7,500.