KOCH: Government contractors have expressed their inability to complete civil works they undertook due to the escalation in prices of raw materials including bitumen.
The medium and small scale contractors undertaking projects of Public Works Department, local self government department, Railways and KIIFB are facing unprecedented crisis as they find it difficult to complete the works as per the tender estimate.
The Government Contr-actors Association (GCA) has submitted memorandum to PWD minister seeking immediate measures to address the issue of price rise of bitumen.
The Chief Minister has called a meeting with the association representatives on Monday.
“Though price of all raw materials has increased it is the price rise of bitumen which has affected the contractors badly since 60 per cent of the works are bitumen based. The rate for one kg of bitumen is Rs 38 in the estimate while it is available at Rs 57 from Cochin Refineries now. With such huge variation in price, the works can’t be completed as per the tender estimate,” said K.C Mineesh, secretary of GCA.
The contractors are now not in a position to participate in the tender procedures due to price escalation of raw materials.
The contractors demand that either the tender estimate rate has to be revised according to the market rate of raw materials or the agencies concerned for which the works are being carried out should chip in with the bitumen variation cost. “Unless the state government takes measures to address the crisis, we will be forced to stop all works,” said Association representatives.
