Team Herald
MARGAO: Shadow Council for Margao Convenor Savio Coutinho, while asserting that his charge of the proposed biomethanation plants are double priced demanded that the Margao Municipal Council set up only one plant and depending upon its performance decide about the other two plants.
It may be recalled that the MMC opened the financial bids for setting up three biomethenation plants of which one would be set up at the South Goa Planning and Development Authority’s wholesale fish market and the other two at SGPDA’s retail market and fish market.
Urja Bio Systems Pvt Ltd were the lowest bidders, to set up the biomethanation plants, to treat the garbage generated at the South Goa Planning and Development Authority’s retail and fish market at Fatorda but they were outbid by Atmos Power Pvt Ltd, who were the lowest bidders, for setting up the plant at the wholesale fish market.
Three bids were received for setting up the plant at the wholesale fish market. The three bidders were Atmos Power Pvt Ltd, Urja Bio Systems Pvt Ltd and Erny Enterprises, of which Atmos, who quoted four per cent above the estimated amount, were found to be the lowest.
Atmos Power Pvt Ltd and Urja Bio Systems Pvt Ltd had both bid to set up the plant at both the SGPDA retail market and fish market and at both places Urja emerged the lowest.
However, Savio asserted that the plants are overpriced and wondered why the outgoing council suddenly found these plants so attractive even though the price had doubled in a short period. He pointed out that nobody has explained what is so special or good about these plants.
He mentioned that earlier the council had proposed to set up the plants at the cost of Rs 2.39 crore which included the cost of its operation and maintenance for five years and had even sought the government approval for the same.
However, towards the end of its tenure, the council suddenly found favour with a plant which was priced at Rs 4.81 crore each and said the citizens need an answer for the increase in the price and what benefits it would give to the tax payer.
While pointing out that nobody has seen these plants functioning, Savio said, “It would be prudent for the council to initially set up only one plant and after checking how it works decide about the other two.”
