TEAM HERALD
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PANJIM: The Rs 40 crore mega project for replacing water supply lines in the capital Panjim under the Jawaharlal Nehru National Urban Renewal Mission (JNNURM) hit a roadblock since the PWD has been forced to re-float tenders due to lack of approval from its Works Advisory Board(WAB) due to the unsatisfactory response and absence of competitive bids for undertaking this mammoth exercise.
Tenders which were invited almost six months ago are now proposed to be re-floated within the next couple of days, according to officials.
According to information only two parties had participated in the bidding process and the WAB has dissented to selection of the lowest bidder whose on-going works elsewhere in Goa has been far from satisfactory.
Dilip Dhavalikar, Executive Engineer of Works Division III, PWD said, “There will be delay in the commencement of the project for replacing water supply lines for Panjim on account of absence of competitive bids and disapproval from the Works Advisory Board to the tendering process.” The WAB has strongly insisted on re-floating of tenders, we are told, as it has also cited reasons of slow work by the lowest bidder on some other project in the State.
He however said that another project linked to this namely the new Water Treatment Plant at Opa of 27 MLD costing Rs 30 crore would proceed as bids have been finalized and work orders would be issued shortly.
Dhavalikar said that replacing the water supply lines entails replacement of both distribution lines and service line to households which is estimated to take at least one year after work orders are issued. The coverage area is around 90 kilometers.
This division also proposes to re-submit its proposal for replacement of sewerage lines under JNNURM considering the fact that the capacity has tripled over the years.
Dhavalikar said that the on-going works for laying sewerage lines at Taleigao have re-commenced and the balance works would be completed by May 2014. He further disclosed that work of reinstating roads at Taleigao previously dug for laying sewerage lines has commenced and expected to be completed within the next one month or so.
