Surprised by the abnormal rates quoted by firms, the Tiruchi City Corporation is ready to float re-tenders for employing consultancy firms to prepare Detailed Project Reports (DPR) for various components of the Smart City Plan.
Recently tenders had been floated to prepare DPR for nine components of the Smart City Plan: Cauvery riverfront development plan, laying of smart roads, formation of smart parks, laying underground cables, complete rejuvenation of water supply mechanism, formation of footpaths and storm water drains were among the nine components for which the Corporation sought to appoint private consultancy firms.
The firms were supposed to visit the project areas to prepare the DPR by taking into account of various aspects.
As expected, many companies across the country submitted tender documents. However, the abnormal rates quoted by them raised eyebrows among the senior officials of the Corporation. Some companies had quoted more than ₹1 crore for preparing DPR for each component, which the officials found abnormal.
The issue was then taken up to the senior officials of Commissionerate of Municipal Administration in Chennai, who in turn, asked the Tiruchi Corporation to float re-tenders.
Corporation Commissioner cum Special Officer N. Ravichandran told The Hindu that it could not go by the abnormal rates.
They were not on the expected line and market prices. Hence, it had opted for floating re-tenders and it would be finalised in the second week of April. It was expected that the firms would come forward to quote the market rates.
Process of recruiting Chief Executive Officer and Chief Finance Officer for the Tiruchirappalli Smart City Limited has also begun. The CEO would be responsible for the overall development, financial as well as project management. He would also formulate policies and procedures and day-to-day affairs of the company.
Mr. Ravichandran said the Tiruchirappalli Smart City Limited would have its Company Secretary too.
He would be responsible for company secretarial, legal, corporate governance and administrative functions. He would also be responsible for conducting board and shareholders’ meetings, statutory compliances and filing forms with various statutory authorities and others.
