GHMC\'s nala development plan sees few bidders

Hyderabad: The Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation (GHMC) seems to be in a dilemma with regard to the execution of the Strategic Nala Development Plan (SNDP).Though tenders have been invited for nearly 25 works, only four bids have made it to the agreement stage. Officials claimed that irregular payments and the complexity involved in completing such projects have kept the private agencies at bay. This apart, the GHMC has not cleared bills pertaining to nala desilting for close to a year, claiming that a contractor in Kukatpally was involved in irregularities.

The desilting works for this year has come to a grinding halt, making the city prone to flooding even with short spells of rain. According to GHMC officials, the corporation, as a knee-jerk reaction, announced to take up the SNDP project after the flash floods during October last year, at an estimated cost of Rs. 858.32 crore. However, the project has not taken shape as far as execution is concerned. The authorities are yet to invite bids for over 30 of a total of 55 works. The project has been divided into 15 packages and 55 works. Of these, 36 fall under the purview of the GHMC while the others are under different municipalities.

Though tenders were invited for 24 works, only four agencies turned up to bid for the project while the others kept away, citing GHMCs lack of credibility, as it was unable to make timely payments in the past.

A senior GHMC official, requesting anonymity, said that in order to widen the existing nalas, the properties adjacent to it were acting as a hindrance and where land was available for acquisition, the corporation's finances were in very bad shape. He said that most of the contractors who have been taking up the annual nala desilting works have been executing nala related works in the city. The official said most of them shy away from even participating in the bidding process as the corporation was yet to clear the pending bills for the previous financial year 2020-21.

"The corporation has been dealing with multiple challenges pertaining to the execution of SNDP. However, estimates have been received for four works which are under scrutiny, a for one work, the detailed project report is pending. Government has given administrative sanction of Rs 858.32 crore to take up the works, which excludes property acquisition cost," he added.