Key changes in fresh tenders for flyover project

By Govind D.Belgaumkar

BANGALORE, AUG. 29. The Karnataka Road Development Corporation Limited (KRDCL), which earlier cancelled the tenders to appoint consultants for the design of the 22 flyovers proposed in the City, has made some key changes in the fresh tenders for the project, which will be invited soon.

According to sources, the changes are in the scope of the tenders and their conditions. Though the L & T Ramboll, controversy over which led to the cancellation of the tender invited earlier, can bid again, there is a hitch for the company as one of the conditions is that a firm or its sister concerns cannot apply for both construction of the flyovers (as and when tenders are called for it) and consultancy.

Sources said that in the new tender, consultancy was being sought for conducting feasibility studies, the design of the flyovers and supervision of their construction. The firms, which bid for the tender, should also quote their rates for ``proof-checking of the designs'', if the KRDCL decided to hand over the construction of any flyover on a turnkey basis. This meant that the consultants would have to verify the designs submitted by the firms which might take up the projects on a turnkey basis.

In the tender which was cancelled, the scope of consultancy was limited to conducting feasibility study and designing the 22 flyovers. L & T Ramboll was shortlisted for the work. But the allegations made against the firm in the Tamil Nadu flyover scam led to the cancellation of the tender process. The Board of Directors of the KRDCL then decided to go in for fresh tenders to avoid any controversy.

Sources said the KRDCL could not prevent any specific firm from bidding for the fresh tender, though it was initially thought fit to ban the entry of L & T Ramboll by including a clause that firms involved in scandals need not apply. But the KRDCL decided against imposing such a condition since it would not be tenable under the law. However, one of the general conditions stipulates that the firms applying for the project should have a ``high degree of integrity.''

Another condition imposed under the new tender is that the firms should apply for only one of the three packages. The 22 flyovers have been divided into three packages. Earlier, the firms applied for all the packages.

Under the new tender, the firms would be asked to submit separate technical and financial bids as earlier. The financial bids of firms which passed the technical criterion would only be opened, sources said.

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Section  : Southern States
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